Predicting the team of England to face the Australian team as the injury toll deepens
Predicting the team of England to face the Australian team as the injury toll deepens. The Summer Test series of England against Australia is there for the taking. Both teams are heading into the third and final test with a win apiece.
Eddie Jones’ men had recovered from a humbling opening loss to Australia with a convincing score of 25-17 win in Brisbane to level the series.
The starting line-up was organized following the 30-28 loss in Perth, but it is hard to see the same happening this week after the arrival of the newcomers to the first XV impressed and helped steer and direct England towards a much-needed victory.
In the last week, Jack Van Poortvliet came off the bench to win a maiden England cap and impressed everyone as a starter with his excellent performance. The same can be applied to Tommy Freeman. He also made his Test debut in Brisbane and was not afraid or nervous about the spectacle at hand.
Both of them are likely to be featured in the starting line-up of Jones again, with London Irish star Henry Arundell to be a finisher off the bench.
Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell are the heart of the backline of England but the space alongside them is open at the outside center. Guy Porter displayed his strengths and capabilities in the midfield and is likely to keep his spot in the team after he played well in his debut game.
While the backline seems to remain the same heading into next weekend, the pack is set to be reshuffled. Maro Itoje has been placed out of the last fixture with Australia after he suffered a serious concussion in the second test that gave Ollie Chessum a slight chance to his first-ever start for England.
Sam Underhill is also under the effect of a concussion in the second test and his availability for the final test is unclear. If he is unfit to play, Lewis Ludlum will be the beneficiary, earning a promotion from the bench.
Jack Willis is under the pain of a rib injury which could rule him out of the third test, but the indications are that the Wasps man will be fit to play.
Younger Will Joseph only had a minute of game-time in what was his first England cap on Saturday and therefore he is likely to get the chance to play and feature one more time on the bench.
Predicted England team vs Australia – third test:
15 Freddie Steward
14 Jack Nowell
13 Guy Porter
12 Owen Farrell
11 Tommy Freeman
10 Marcus Smith
9 Jack Van Poortvliet
1 Ellis Genge
2 Jamie George
3 Will Stuart
4 Ollie Chessum
5 Jonny Hill
6 Courtney Lawes
7 Lewis Ludlam
8 Billy Vunipola
Substitutes:
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie
17 Mako Vunipola
18 Joe Heyes
19 Nick Isiekwe
20 Jack Willis
21 Will Joseph
22 Danny Care
23 Henry Arundell