England head coach Stuart Lancaster has retained the 23 players that faced Samoa for this weekend’s Test match against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.
The same 23-man squad that secured a first win of the autumn against Samoa will line up against the Wallabies at Twickenham Stadium for the final November Test.
Gloucester Rugby centre Billy Twelvetrees keeps his place and will compete with Saracens’ Owen Farrell for the inside centre slot, as explained by head coach Stuart Lancaster earlier today.
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Brad Barritt looks likely to retain the outside centre berth after three successive starts this autumn, with rival Luther Burrell among the players released back to their clubs this evening.
Wasps James Haskell, who started the 28-9 win last Saturday at blindside flanker, is up against Tom Wood and Ben Morgan for a place in the back row after Exeter Chiefs’ No 8 Thomas Waldrom was also released back to his club side.
Lancaster said: “There has been some strong competition for places throughout the whole series and, with our strength in depth increasing in many positions and key players to return from injury soon, we will be in good shape for 2015.
“It was great to get the win last week and the whole 23 did well so we want to give those guys another chance against an Australian team who will want to finish their season on a high.
“We’ve had great support at Twickenham over the last three games and we are determined to give the fans something to shout about this weekend.”
England squad to face Australia
Forwards (13):
- Dave Attwood (Bath)
- Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons)
- Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
- James Haskell (Wasps)
- George Kruis (Saracens)
- Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
- Joe Marler (Harlequins)
- Ben Morgan (Gloucester)
- Matt Mullan (Wasps)
- Chris Robshaw (Captain – Harlequins)
- Rob Webber (Bath)
- David Wilson (Bath)
- Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)
Backs (10):
- Brad Barritt (Saracens)
- Mike Brown (Harlequins)
- Owen Farrell (Saracens)
- George Ford (Bath)
- Jonny May (Gloucester)
- Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester)
- Anthony Watson (Bath)
- Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)
- Marland Yarde (Harlequins)
- Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Returning to Aviva Premiership clubs:
- Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints)
- Calum Clark (Northampton Saints)
- Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints)
- Alex Goode (Saracens)
- Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers)
- Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints)
- Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
- Thomas Waldrom (Exeter Chiefs)
- Danny Care (Harlequins)
- Kyle Eastmond (Bath)
- Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath)
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According to reports on englandrugby.com, England fullback Mike Brown says that they will not be kicking the ball at his opposite number Israel Folau too often at Twickenham on Saturday.
The Wallabies fullback and dual-code international is recognised as one of the best in the game under the high ball, and thrives on counter-attacking opportunities which is why Brown has stressed the need for England’s kicking game to be spot on this weekend.
Brown explained that the key will be to keep the ball away from Folau and put him under pressure through their phase play if they are to neutralise a player he considers as one of the best fullbacks in the world.
“When we do kick, we can’t do it to him because he will punish us. Then in phase-play, we need to put as much pressure on him as we can.”
“He’s right up there – he’s been on fire this season, both in the Rugby Championship and the Super 15. He’s an incredible athlete as you can see from what he’s done across a number of sports.
“For me, he was unlucky not to be nominated for the World Rugby Player of the Year. He is a formidable opponent for us on Saturday, and one we have to manage well in terms of our kicking game,” he said.
Although many people will be making comparisons between the two fullbacks in the build-up to this game, Brown dismissed the notion that the two players will square off directly on Saturday.
“For me it is not a one-on-one battle as a fullback because you are attacking and defending all over the field,” he said.
Brown added that he tries his best to learn from his peers, with Folau no exception.
“It’s about looking at the positives they bring and seeing if I can emulate that and do as well in certain areas as they do.”
“I like looking at a lot of 15s all around the world – Israel Dagg is another great player – and just try to get better myself,” he said.
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According to reports on rugby365, England forwards coach Graham Rowntree said Australian captain Michael Hooper would receive “special attention” in Saturday’s clash at Twickenham.
The 23-year-old flank has been an impressive performer for the Wallabies since winning the first of his 41 caps in June 2012, with the openside’s speed to the breakdown making him a particular threat.
“Hooper needs special attention,” said Rowntree.
“We have to nullify him at the weekend and keep him quiet,” the former England and British and Irish Lions prop added.
“He’s a jack-in-the-box, he’s everywhere. His line speed and energy are superb and he’s durable as well because he doesn’t miss many minutes.
“He’s pretty central to everything Australia do offensively – and at the breakdown as well.”
Speed to the breakdown, and the ensuing supply of quick ball, is central to Australia’s game-plan as it gives their talented backline as much time as possible to cause maximum damage to their opponents.
“You want clean ball at your breakdown,” said Rowntree. “We work on ball speed every day.
“We’ve got to go under four and a half seconds for ours and anything over that that we can give them, the better. We work on that constantly.
“Ball speed’s important. If we can get that ball speed down to under four seconds then we’re in business.
“Historically against Australia we are under four seconds. You’d be surprised how quick the ball is that we get against the All Blacks and how we can slow their breakdown down as well.
“Between four and five seconds is acceptable. If it’s between four and six, then we’ve got problems. It doesn’t sound much, but it’s a big difference.”
Saturday’s match has been given added spice by the fact 2015 World Cup hosts England are in the same pool as Australia at next year’s global showpiece tournament.
England’s win over Samoa on Saturday came just hours after Australia went down 26-23 to Ireland in Dublin.
It was Australia’s second straight loss under new coach Michael Cheika following last week’s equally narrow 29-26 defeat by France.
England too have had a similar experience against top-class opposition this month, suffering three-point defeats by world champions New Zealand (24-21) and South Africa (31-28) at Twickenham before overcoming Samoa.
Saturday’s match will be both England and Australia’s final international of 2014.