Marcus Smith has been named to start at outhalf for England against Australia on Saturday with Manu Tuilagi making a shock move to the right wing to accommodate him. Owen Farrell returns to captain the side at inside-centre with Tuilagi shifting to the wing in place of Adam Radwan.
Smith’s promotion to the starting lineup comes after an impressive cameo against Tonga last time out with the 22-year-old outhalf set for his third Test start. Eddie Jones finally gets to see Smith line up next to Farrell, who missed last weekend’s 69-3 win having been forced into isolation and was away with the Lions over the summer.
Jones’s decision to move Tuilagi to wing is a surprise, however. The 30-year-old impressed in a centre partnership with Henry Slade, who remains in the No13 jersey, but the return of Farrell and Smith’s inclusion has seen Jones reposition him. Tuilagi has won just one of his 44 England caps on the wing before during a 28-27 defeat by New Zealand in 2014 under Stuart Lancaster.
Smith’s introduction to squad means George Furbank drops out of the squad all together with Jones opting for a 6-2 split on the bench, naming Sam Simmonds among his replacements. Simmonds has not played for England since 2018 but is in line for his ninth Test cap, having appeared for the Lions against South Africa. The Sale pair of Raffi Quirke and Bevan Rodd are also among the replacements and set to make their debuts.
Elsewhere, Jones has largely stuck by the side who beat Tonga with Ellis Genge, Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler making up the frontrow, Maro Itoje and Jonny Hill continuing at lock and Courtney Lawes, Sam Underhill and Tom Curry once more named as the backrowers. Ben Youngs continues at scrumhalf with Jonny May staying on the wing and Freddie Steward again at fullback. Max Malins comes on to the bench to add versatility as one of two back replacements alongside Quirke.
“We know this will be a tough test for us, we’re playing against a team who have been together a while and who have beat the world champions twice,” said Jones. “As an Australian I know how much this game means. We’ve had a really good week of preparation, we’re looking to improve our performance this week and I think this side is building well.”
Australia prop James Slipper will switch to the tighthead side of the scrum with Oliver Hoskins set to make a remarkable debut off the bench at Twickenham.
With both Allan Alaalatoa and Taniela Tupou suffering from concussion symptoms following last weekend’s 15-13 loss to Scotland at Murrayfield, Slipper has been forced to switch sides of the frontrow. The last time he featured at tighthead in a Test was 2012.
Hoskins, who plays in England with London Irish, was only drafted into the squad on Tuesday, but could make a surprise debut off the bench, something he might not have thought was remotely possible at the start of the week.
“While it’s disappointing for Taniela and Allan who weren’t able to pass their protocols within the six-day turnaround, it’s created an opportunity for Ollie to realise a lifelong dream,” coach Dave Rennie said.
“He’s impressed us with his dedication and diligence to get up to speed quickly and we’re confident he’ll do a good job for us.”
Kurtley Beale starts at fullback after an injury to Jordan Petaia means Andrew Kellaway will swap the number 15 jersey for his usual position on the wing.
France-based hooker Tolu Latu is among the replacements and set for a first Test appearance since the 2019 Rugby World Cup. – Guardian
ENGLAND (v Australia, Twickenham, Saturday, 5.30pm): Freddie Steward ; Manu Tuilagi, Henry Slade, Owen Farrell, Jonny May; Marcus Smith, Ben Youngs; Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, Jonny Hill; Courtney Lawes, Sam Underhill, Tom Curry.
Replacements: Jamie Blamire, Bevan Rodd, Will Stuart , Charlie Ewels, Alex Dombrandt, Sam Simmonds, Raffi Quirke, Max Malins.
AUSTRALIA: Kurtley Beale; Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Tom Wright; James O'Connor, Nic White; Angus Bell, Folau Fainga'a, James Slipper; Rory Arnold, Izack Rodda; Rob Leota, Michael Hooper (capt), Rob Valetini.
Replacements: Tolu Latu, Tom Robertson, Oliver Hoskins, Will Skelton, Pete Samu, Tate McDermott,Noah Lolesio, Izaia Perese.
