England open the Autumn Nations Series against Australia at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
Last year, the two teams played a thrilling match, with Australia winning 42-37 in a hard-fought battle.
When it comes to selection, Steve Borthwick has some surprises.
George Ford started at fly-half, with Henry Pollock and Finn Smith among his substitutes.
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With England having limited training time before facing the Wallabies, Steve Borthwick, who had started the season well with Sale Sharks, appeared in Ford’s number 10 at fly-half and retained the reins after playing in all three of England’s summer internationals.
In the other match, Guy Pepper started on the blindside, with Borthwick naming British & Irish Lions trio Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Will Stewart on the bench.
Taniela Tupou will be playing for Australia for the first time in over a month. Tupou, a giant tighthead prop known as the Tongan Thor, last played for the Wallabies in a 33-24 loss to New Zealand at Eden Park on September 27.
Australia captain Harry Wilson has also been recalled to the starting XI after being named on the bench for last Saturday’s 19-14 win over Japan in Tokyo. He will join Rob Valletini and Fraser McCreight in the back row. Veteran prop Alan Araratoa will come off the bench.
Follow live updates on ESPN for all the action.

