England have named Billy Twelvetrees in their starting XV to take on the Wallabies at Twickenham this coming weekend. The Gloucester back's selection means that Owen Farrell moves to the bench, while George Ford is retained at flyhalf. The Wallabies have now also named their team.
England go in to the game as slight underdogs with current odds of 11/10 for the win, as opposed to Australia who are 10/11 favourites.
England coach Stuart Lancaster said that he was pleased with Twelvetrees' commitment of late.
"It's good to be able to give Billy his first start of the series," he said.
"He took on board the feedback we gave him when he first came into camp and he has worked hard both with us and at Gloucester and deserves his chance."
Skipper Chris Robshaw says that they want to end on a high ahead of the Six Nations
Australia meanwhile have named a starting line-up which includes three changes from the team that lost to Ireland in Dublin at the weekend. Tevita Kuridrani is unavailable due to an ankle injury, so Adam Ashley-Cooper moves to outside centre, with Rob Horne starting on the wing.
Impressive youngster Sean McMahon returns to the starting XV at blindside flanker, while the rest of the line-up is effectively unchanged on the occasion of lock Rob Simmons' 50th Test. The bench will be finalised and announced closer to the match.
Ashley-Cooper spoke about their previous encounter with England and says that despite things not going entirely their way on this tour, they are now are more settled side.
"We're in far better shape than at the beginning of the tour," said the Wallaby centurion.
England Team
1. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 25 caps)
2. Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints, 60 caps)
3. David Wilson (Bath Rugby, 40 caps)
4. Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby, 15 caps)
5. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 35 caps)
6. Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 33 caps
7. Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, 31 caps, captain)
8. Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby, 26 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 41 caps)
10. George Ford (Bath Rugby, 5 caps)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 10 caps)
12. Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby, 15 caps)
13. Brad Barritt (Saracens, 21 caps)
14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)
15. Mike Brown (Harlequins, 32 caps)
16. Rob Webber (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)
17. Matt Mullan (Wasps, 8 caps)
18. Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons, 5 caps)
19. George Kruis (Saracens, 3 caps)
20. James Haskell (Wasps, 52 caps)
21. Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens, 15 caps
22. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 28 caps
23. Marland Yarde (Harlequins, 6 caps)
Australia team:
1. James Slipper (Queensland Reds- 62 Tests)
2. Saia Fainga’a (Queensland Reds – 35 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs – 51 Tests)
4. Sam Carter (ACT Brumbies – 10 Tests)
5. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds – 49 Tests)
6. Sean McMahon (Melbourne Rebels – 2 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c - NSW Waratahs – 41 Tests)
8. Ben McCalman (Western Force – 37 Tests)
9. Nick Phipps (NSW Waratahs – 27 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs – 17 Tests)
11. Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs – 24 Tests)
12. Matt Toomua (ACT Brumbies – 20 Tests)
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs – 103 Tests)
14. Henry Speight (ACT Brumbies – 1 Test)
15. Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs – 28 Tests)
16. James Hanson (Queensland Reds – 8 Tests)
17. Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs – 71 Tests)
18. Ben Alexander (ACT Brumbies – 71 Tests)
19. Will Skelton (NSW Waratahs – 7 Tests)
20. Luke Jones (Melbourne Rebels – 2 Tests)
21. Nic White (ACT Brumbies – 18 Tests)
22. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds – 52 Tests)
23. Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs – 48 Tests)
Videos via @rugbymedia
0 Comments