England v Australia - Teams and Prediction

PREVIEW: Wallaby boss Joe Schmidt has insisted Tane Edmed needs time to develop as the flyhalf prepares to face England at Twickenham on Saturday.

Edmed, who featured in Australia’s unconvincing 19-15 win over Japan in Tokyo last weekend, has kept his place after Carter Gordon’s long-awaited return to Test rugby union was again put on hold by injury.

Gordon, the eight-cap flyhalf who played at the last Rugby World Cup for the Wallabies before leaving the 15-a-side code to join rugby league side Gold Coast Titans, has secured a release from his NRL deal to join Australia’s tour.

But he remains sidelined by a quad problem, with Edmed, 25, winning his sixth cap this weekend.

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“All we can do is keep investing in the people we’ve got and I think if any of the people in the room had the opportunity to have a chat with Tane they’d see what a quality young man he is and how hard he’s working at his craft,” said Schmidt after naming his side on Thursday.

But Schmidt who worked with outstanding flyhalves Jonathan Sexton during his time at Ireland and Beauden Barrett while member of his native New Zealand’s backroom staff, added: “You don’t turn up in your fourth Test match and start running the game like you do when you’ve had 50 Tests.

“You learn from experiences and that allows you to get better – and getting better is never linear either. There are going to be tough moments for Tane, and we know that and there’s going to be some really good moments.”

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By contrast, England will have George Ford at flyhalf after the 102-cap veteran kept the No.10 shirt ahead of Fin Smith, on the bench this weekend, and playmaker Marcus Smith, omitted from Steve Borthwick’s matchday 23 entirely.

Ford is renowned for his kicking game but Schmidt denied he was a conservative pick.

“George Ford has one of the best passing games in world rugby,” he said.

“A lot of people focus on his kicking game, but [not] his passing game and he’s got good acceleration. So he is a genuine triple threat.”

Australia’s hopes of recording back-to-back wins against England at Twickenham for the first time in 16 years have been hampered by an inability to select English-based players such as Len Ikitau, Tom Hooper and James O’Connor, with Prem clubs not obliged to release overseas stars for a match taking place outside World Rugby’s official window for the Nations Series.

England, by contrast, are at full strength thanks to a player-release agreement between their governing Rugby Football Union and the PREM.

That has led to suggestions the Wallabies’ face an unfair handicap in their bid to climb the global rankings (they are currently seventh) and secure a premium top-six seeding for December’s draw for their home 2027 Rugby World Cup.

‘Shuffle your cards’

But Schmidt, who has made eight changes to the starting 15 that beat Japan, said similar restrictions applied last year when Australia defeated England 42-37 thanks to Max Jorgensen’s last-gasp try in a match where high-profile rugby league convert Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii made an impressive debut.

“You often get dealt a set of cards,” explained Schmidt, who still has Jorgensen and Suaalii, along with returning regular captain and back-row Harry Wilson, in his team.

“If those cards aren’t available, you shuffle what you’ve got and try to put out your best hand.”

England coach Borthwick has selected a back division primed for the high-ball contest that is now such a big part of modern rugby union, with Tommy Freeman, who featured for the British and Irish Lions during their 2-1 series win in Australia, moved to outside centre from the wing.

“So it does appear to us that there is a bit of a menacing aerial threat,” said Schmidt, who will look to Suaalii to combat that challenge.

For England, on a run of seven straight victories, Freeman’s selection at outside centre is a sign of how they want to both focus on the present and plan for the future.

“I want us to win the World Cup but I also want us to win now,” said Borthwick, whose predecessor Eddie Jones was criticised for pinning all his hopes on the 2023 edition.

“I am not trying to make a differentiation.”

Players to watch:

For England: All eyes will be on captain Maro Itoje, whose authority at the set piece will set the tone for England. His leadership and intensity around the park remain crucial. No. 8 Ben Earl is another standout in the pack – his physicality, tireless work at the breakdown, and powerful carries consistently put England on the front foot. In the backline, George Ford will be central to England’s tactical direction. The flyhalf’s game management and composure under pressure could prove decisive. At fullback, Freddie Steward’s dominance in the air and reliability under the high ball will be vital in controlling territory and countering Australia’s kicking game.

For Australia: For the Wallabies, Tane Edmed takes on the pivotal fly-half role. The young playmaker faces a stern test in managing tempo and territory against a well-drilled England side. Outside him, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii continues to impress with his ability to offload, step, and exploit defensive gaps – his power and pace make him a constant threat in midfield. Up front, Rob Valetini has been a standout performer, combining strength, mobility, and an immense work rate. His impact at the gain line will be essential if Australia are to secure front-foot ball. The return of Taniela Tupou also provides a major boost; the powerhouse prop adds muscle to the scrum and can be devastating with ball in hand.

Prediction

@Rugby365: England by 10 points

Teams: 

England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tom Roebuck, 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 10 George Ford, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Guy Pepper, 5 Ollie Chessum, 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 Alex Coles, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Fin Smith

Australia: 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Hamish Stewart, 23 Filipo Daugunu.

Date: Saturday, November 1
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Kick-off: 15.10 (15.10 GMT; 02.10, AEDT, Sunday, November 2)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: James Doleman (New Zealand), Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)

Source: AFP