Autumn Nations Series: Steve Borthwick names unchanged England line-up to face Australia after New Zealand defeat
By Leon Imber
Published 05/11/2024 at 17:06 GMT
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Steve Borthwick has named an unchanged starting line-up for England's Autumn Nations Series clash with Australia at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday. Borthwick's side proved a worthy competitor for New Zealand in their opening Autumn Test, but eventually surrendered an eight-point lead to suffer a narrow 24-22 defeat, their third successive reverse against the All Blacks.
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Video credit: SNTV
England's starting line-up remains unchanged from the 24-22 defeat to New Zealand on Saturday, as Steve Borthwick's side prepare to face Australia at the Allianz Stadium in their second Autumn Nations Series Test.
The Red Roses were an equal match for the All Blacks in their Autumn opener, but eventually had their eight-point lead overturned after a late flurry from the visitors. The defeat was sealed by a Mark Tele'a try four minutes from time to leave the hosts crestfallen.
England's run of three straight defeats have all come against Scott Robertson's side, but Borthwick expects another "massive challenge" from the fresh opposition of the Wallabies.
"Facing Australia is always a massive challenge, and we’ll work diligently this week to ensure we’re physically and tactically prepared to take on the Wallabies," the England head coach said.
"The passion and energy from the crowd at Allianz Stadium last weekend was absolutely brilliant, from the opening whistle to the final moments, and we can't wait to be back at home this Saturday."
Within the starting XV, Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence have shifted positions, the former heading to inside centre and the Bath centre moving to outside.
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Borthwick has also opted for two changes on the bench, bringing Luke Cowan-Dickie - who could make his first Red Roses appearance in two years - and Ollie Sleightholme into the fold at the expense of Theo Dan and Ben Curry.
Jamie George remains captain, while Marcus Smith retains his spot at fly-half after an impressive display against the All Blacks, registering 17 of England's 22 points while also setting up their only try.
England will be looking to extend their emphatic recent record over the Wallabies, which has seen them triumph in 10 of their last 11 meetings in a sequence spanning back to 2016.
ENGLAND SQUAD AGAINST AUSTRALIA
England: George Furbank, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Ollie Lawrence, Henry Slade, Tommy Freeman, Marcus Smith, Ben Spencer; Ellis Genge, Jamie George (captain), Will Stuart, Maro Itoje, George Martin, Chandler Cunningham-South, Tom Curry, Ben Earl.
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Fin Baxter, Dan Cole, Nick Isiekwe, Alex Dombrandt, Harry Randall, George Ford, Ollie Sleightholme
TNT Sports and discovery+ will be providing all the action as Ireland take on New Zealand, Italy face Argentina and France meet Japan. Scotland battle with 2023 World Cup winners South Africa on Sunday while Wales clash with Fiji.
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