Steve Borthwick’s England will have revenge on the brain when they host the Wallabies at Allianz Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.
Saturday 1 November
England | Draw | Australia
Allianz Twickenham Stadium
The wounds of last year’s 42-37 Aussie win are still fresh for the English, who, in a crackerjack encounter nearly 12-months ago to the day, allowed Lethal Len Ikitau the time and space needed to put Max Jorgensen away for a fantastic 83rd-minute score that sealed an all-timer.
With each side now a year further along in their development, this match will serve as another proper litmus test for Borthwick and Joe Schmidt, with conditions ripe for another blockbuster.
As things currently stand in the world game, the general consensus is that South Africa, New Zealand, France and (a seemingly on-the-decline) Ireland are the best in the business, with daylight between them and the chasing pack.
This widely accepted pecking order claim will add further significance to many of this month’s internationals, particularly this matchup in London, with the English and Australians desperate to bridge that gap in time for the next World Cup.
Interestingly, the hosts have gone for a Marcus Smith-less matchday squad, with George Ford given the nod at flyhalf and British & Irish Lions tourist Fin Smith backed on the bench. Tommy Freeman moves from the right wing to outside centre to pair up with Fraser Dingwall, with the quality of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso lying in wait out wide.
Whether the Roses have missed a trick by in-form Owen Farrell’s non-inclusion remains to be seen, with the Wallabies, made steely by their recent Rugby Championship campaign and last week’s narrow 19-15 win over Japan in Tokyo, set to come out all guns blazing.
England’s last Test match came way back in the United States in July, with their last full-strength game that included their Lions being way back in the Six Nations.
Like the rest of the European sides this month, they’ll be coming in cold, making matters even more complicated initially as they attempt to push on in their evolution this Autumn.
Verdict: Australia on the board
These are unquestionably two of the game’s most improved sides of the past year, but the fact that Australia have so much gametime behind them will count hugely in their favour.
