England reveal their playmaker for clash against Wallabies
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Steve Borthwick has revealed the team to face Australia in Sunday’s Nations Championship Round Four clash in Twickenham.
Maro Itoje is back to captain the side, having not featured in England’s July campaign, with Fin Baxter, Ben Curry and George Furbank all returning to the starting XV after injury-enforced absences.
Uncapped Exeter Chiefs back-row forward Greg Fisilau is named among the replacements, with England opting for a 6-2 split on the bench. He is joined by Will Stuart, who also returns to the England matchday squad after a lengthy period of rehabilitation.
Fin Smith has passed his fitness test and will wear the No.10 jersey against Australia.
The Round Four fixture of the inaugural Nations Championship sees England begin a run of four consecutive matches at Allianz Stadium.
“Australia are a talented side who have played a significant amount of Test rugby in recent months. We know the challenge that awaits us, and we’re looking forward to it,” said Borthwick.
“We’re excited to be playing in front of our home supporters and to start an important block of games. This will also be our last opportunity to face southern hemisphere opposition at home before the World Cup next year.”
On Fisilau’s potential England debut, Borthwick added: “We’re all absolutely delighted for Greg. He’s worked incredibly hard to get to this point and has earned his opportunity through the way he’s performed for Exeter and in our training environment. He’s a powerful, athletic player who brings real energy to the team.”
Following the Australia fixture, England will face Japan and New Zealand at Allianz Stadium in Rounds Five and Six, before Finals Weekend from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November.
England: 15 George Furbank, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Ben Curry, 6 Ollie Chessum, 5 Alex Coles, 4 Maro Itoje (captain), 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Jamie George, 1 Fin Baxter.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 George Martin, 20 Greg Fisilau, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Marcus Smith.
Date: Sunday, November 8
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Kick-off: 15.10 UK & IRE (15.10 GMT; 02.10 AEDT Monday, November 9)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Jérémy Rozier (France)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France)
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