Fly-half Smith fit to steer England against Wallabies

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Fin Smith overtook George Ford in the fly-half pecking order during this year’s Six Nations

Fly-half Fin Smith has recovered from a calf injury and will start for England in their opening Test of the autumn against Australia on Sunday.

Smith has started England’s past five matches at 10, but was a doubt to face the Wallabies in the Nations Championship encounter after coming off late on in Northampton’s defeat by Leicester on 24 October.

The 24-year-old is joined in the England XV by flanker Ben Curry, who makes his Test return after an injury-hit 16 months.

Curry, whose twin brother Tom had an injury setback in training earlier this week that took him out of contention, is seen as key to combating Australia’s breakdown specialists Fraser McReight and Carlo Tizzano and ensuring a supply of quick ball to Smith and his backline.

Smith will have Saints team-mate Tommy Freeman as an attacking outlet and a target for crossfield kicks on the wing, while full-back George Furbank, who can step in at first receiver, played alongside both before his summer move to Harlequins.

Alex Coles, another Northampton player, wins a starting second-row spot ahead of George Martin, while Henry Slade is chosen at outside centre, with no space for either Joe Marchant or Will Joseph in the matchday 23.

Fin Baxter, who only made two appearances since a comeback from a 10-month foot-injury lay-off, is the starting loose-head prop, with Ellis Genge poised on the bench alongside Will Stuart, another welcome front-row returnee.

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A strong replacement front row was key to England swinging the match their way in a 25-7 win last year, the teams’ most recent meeting.

Exeter back row Greg Fisilau is poised to win his first cap after being named on the bench.

After facing the Wallabies, England take on Japan and New Zealand on 14 and 21 November before a Nations Championship finals weekend play-off against an as-yet-undecided southern-hemisphere opponent.

England’s squad for the autumn only assembled on Monday evening, while Australia have played seven Tests since their opponents’ last outing, a victory over Argentina in July.

“Australia are a talented side who have played a significant amount of Test rugby in recent months. We know the challenge that awaits us and we’re looking forward to it,” said England head coach Steve Borthwick.

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Greg Fisilau is ranked first for carries (67), third for post-contact metres (76) and fourth for successful tackles (78) in the Prem this season

Borthwick will hope Plymouth-born Exeter star Fisilau, who was first called up to the senior squad in January and whose father Keni represented Tonga, can bring some of the heavy-duty ball carrying lost by Tom Willis’ departure to French club rugby.

“[Fisilau has] worked incredibly hard to get to this point and has earned his opportunity through the way he’s performed for Exeter and in our training environment,” said Borthwick.

“He’s a powerful, athletic player who brings real energy to the team.”

England are playing at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium for the first time since February’s 42-21 defeat by Ireland and are in need of a strong campaign to propel them towards next year’s Six Nations and Rugby World Cup.

England XV: Furbank; Freeman, Slade, Atkinson, Feyi-Waboso; F Smith, van Poortvliet; Baxter, George, Heyes, Itoje, Coles, Chessum, Curry, Earl

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Stuart, Martin, Fisilau, Pollock, Spencer, M Smith

Williams switches into back row for Wallabies

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Williams has won 35 caps since making his debut against Wales in 2024

Australia have named Jeremy Williams, more usually a second row, at blindside flanker as they target England’s set-piece.

Elsewhere Len Ikitau, who spent last season at Exeter, returns at inside centre after missing the defeat by New Zealand under the head injury assessment protocols.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who enjoyed a winning Test debut in this fixture two years ago, is named on the wing, while there is plenty of power on the bench to take on England’s replacements with Rob Valentini, Taniela Tupou and Carlo Tizzano biding their time on the sidelines.

Australia: Wright; Jorgensen, Suaalii, Henry, Ikitau; Meredith, Lonergan; Bell, Pollard, Alaalatoa, Canham, Salakaia-Loto, Williams, McReight, Wilson

Replacements: Nasser, Kailea, Tupou, Valetini, Tizzano, McDermott, Donaldson, Daugunu

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