England’s team was always going to be dominated by the calls at fly-half and George Ford will start against Australia leaving Fin Smith on the bench as Marcus Smith misses out on this occasion
When England were narrowly beaten at Twickenham by Australia last year it was Marcus Smith who the team were turning to to produce moments of magic.
What a difference a year makes, with the Harlequins fly-half losing out to George Ford and Fin Smith in a battle for the number 10 shirt, which looks destined to rumble on until the World Cup in 2027.
Ford has been sensational for Sale, dating back to the final weeks of last season, and that form has been rewarded with a start this Saturday in south west London. Fin Smith had been the man occupying the shirt for the final four games of the Six Nations – all of which he won – but will make an impact off the bench.
Both Smiths went on the British and Irish Lions tour with Ford architecting England’s series win in Argentina – and those exploits clearly struck a chord with Steve Borthwick, who has given him the keys to run the show for the first of four internationals this autumn.
It leaves Marcus Smith looking to respond. His versatility, which saw him play at fullback this time last year, is arguably now counting against him. Playing at 15 allowed him more time and space to execute his impressive running game. But Ford and Fin Smith have shown they are perhaps better conductors of a team from 10.
READ MORE: Lewis Moody to make emotional Twickenham appearance before England vs AustraliaREAD MORE: Rugby union star gets huge ban for ‘grabbing and twisting opponent’s genitals’
Marcus Smith can take solace from Ford’s comeback. He was third choice back in the Six Nations and had just one substitute cameo in the final of the five games as he sat back and watched the Smiths take charge. His execution in training though was proof of his professionalism.
Borthwick said on that period: “I spoke about when there was a series of games where I didn’t select George Ford in the 23. And every day I thought he was probably the best trainer in the squad and every day he was there helping the team prepare. That’s the role model, that’s the standard.”
Equally the England head coach has acknowledged there is little between the three men battling it out to be the team’s playmaker. “I could have selected any one of those three players, there is not much between them and that’s a great position to be in,” he said.
Tommy Freeman makes a move into 13, where he’s excelled for Northampton and played for England before, which will line him up with club team-mate Fraser Dingwall. At number 8 Ben Earl is back with England now looking for options in light of Tom Willis’ decision to join Bordeuax next year – rendering him unavailable.
Guy Pepper is also part of the back row as Borthwick opts for a 6-2 split on the bench. It means England can call upon the grunt, speed and power of Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Alex Coles, Tom Curry and Henry Pollock when the time is right.
England have turned a corner since last autumn, when they lost three games on the bounce by a combined score of just 16 points. The most painful of those losses coming against the Wallabies, who continue to prove they are a team on the rise after some impressive results this year.
Max Jorgensen has emerged as a vital player in their backline, scoring twice against the Lions and against South Africa this year. He was the man to silence Twickenham 12 months ago when he scored in the corner with the clock in the red.
81,329 people watched on as three tries were scored in the final five minutes – the decisive one coming for the visitors. Jorgensen will play from the wing on Saturday as Australia opt to start Tane Edmed at fly-half following some selection headaches.
The Wallabies have not won successive games against England at Twickenham since doing so in 2009 – a game which saw head coach Borthwick playing in the second row.
The Teams
England
Steward, Roebuck, Freeman, Dingwall, Feyi-Waboso; Ford, Mitchell; Baxter, George, Heyes, Itoje (capt), Chessum, Pepper, Underhill, Earl.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Stuart, Coles, T Curry, Pollock, Spencer, F Smith.
Australia
Kellaway; Jorgensen, Sua’ali’i, Paisami, Potter, Edmed, Gordon; Bell, Polard, Tupou, Frost, Williams, Valetini, McReight, Wilson (c)
Replacements: Nasser, Roberson, Alaalatoa, Salakaia-Loto, Champion de Crespigny, Lonergan, Stewart, Daugunu.