Farrell, Itoje back for England

Thu, Nov 16, 2017, 11:51 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Adam Coleman has been named to face England despite being under an injury cloud earlier in the week. That means head coach Michael Cheika has named an unchanged starting Qantas Wallabies side to face England this weekend.

Owen Farrell has come straight back into England's team to face Australia, after being rested last week.

Farrell will play at inside centre alongside flyhalf George Ford, with Henry Slade dropping out of the starting side.

Rising star Maro Itoje will come off the bench, after also being rested for the Pumas match, with Eddie Jones opting for Joe Launchbury and Courtney Lawes in the locks.

England coach Eddie Jones said leaving Itoje on the bench was a matter of load management, after a long year.

" If you look at players who have got injured since the Lions series, we're missing Ben Te'o, Jack Nowell, Wales have lost George North, Jonathan Davies, the list continues and we want to make sure we look after our players," he said.

"Part of that is bringing Maro through.

"He'll play part of the game this week -- he might play a lot of the game this week.

"Just because he's starting on the bench doesn't mean he can't play 79 minutes, there's no reason why he can't."

Prop Joe Marler returns from suspension to feature in the 23, with Ellis Genge dropping out.

Joe Marler will be back in the mix for England this weekend. Photo: Getty ImagesWinger Jonny May has been cleared of injury, named on the right wing, teaming up with Elliot Daly.

Fullback Mike Brown will miss the match with concussion, after a heavy hit against Argentina, with Anthony Watson taking his place at fullback.

Jones said his side was prepared for a tough challenge.

“I have selected the strongest 23 to play Australia and we will have to be effective in everything we do this weekend to win," said Jones.

"This is going to be a great challenge, as we know Australia have been in great form towards the end of their season. 

“The players have had an extremely positive week. They have trained well and worked hard and we are all excited about going out on Saturday and playing well against a very good Australian side.”

Australia takes on England on Saturday November 18, kicking off at 3pm local, Sunday 2am AEDT, LIVE on beIN Sports and SBS.

TEAM

IN: Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje, Joe Marler

OUT: Mike Brown, Ellis Genge, George Kruis

England team to face Wallabies

1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens 43 caps)

2. Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints 87 caps)

3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers 75 caps)

4. Joe Launchbury (Wasps 45 caps)

5. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints 59 caps)

6. Chris Robshaw (Harlequins 57 caps)

7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby 2 caps)

8. Nathan Hughes (Wasps 11 caps

9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers 71 caps),).

10. George Ford (Leicester Tigers 38 caps),

11. Elliot Daly (Wasps 14 caps),

12. Owen Farrell (Saracens 52 caps)

13. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby 34 caps),

14. Jonny May (Leicester Tigers 27 caps),

15. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby 27 caps)

Reserves

16. Jamie George (Saracens 18 caps)

17. Joe Marler (Harlequins 51 caps)

18. Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs 3 caps)

19. Maro Itoje (Saracens 12 caps)

20. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs 1 cap)

21. Danny Care (Harlequins 74 caps)

22. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs 8 caps)

23. Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby 3 caps). 

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