EDDIE JONES HAS recalled George Ford to his England team for the second Test against Australia, after the Bath out-half impressed off the bench in last weekend’s victory in Brisbane.
Ford replaced Luther Burrell in the 29th minute of the first Test win, with Owen Farrell reverting to the inside centre slot he occupied during England’s Grand Slam success.
That Ford-Farrell combination has now been restored in the starting XV as England look to clinch a series victory with a win against Michael Cheika’s Wallabies in Melbourne on Saturday [KO 11am Irish time, Sky Sports 1].
The only other change to Jones’ team sees Jack Nowell return on the left wing in place of Marland Yarde, who was among the try-scorers last weekend but drops out of the match day squad completely.
Burrell is also absent from the 23 as Elliot Daly and Danny Care provide the backs coverage on a bench that is split 6/2. With Jones clearly expecting an attritional forwards battle, he has stacked his replacements bench with the likes of Jamie George, Jack Clifford, Joe Launchbury and Courtney Lawes.
“We weren’t satisfied with last weekend’s performance and we know there’s lots to improve on, particularly aspects of our defence and breakdown work, which we’re confident we’ve remedied.
“We know the job isn’t done. We came here to win a Test series and that’s what we intend to do. Australia will try and throw everything at us on Saturday and we’ll be ready for the challenge.”
England (v Australia):
15. Mike Brown
14. Anthony Watson
13. Jonathan Joseph
12. Owen Farrell
11. Jack Nowell
10. George Ford
9. Ben Youngs
1. Mako Vunipola
2. Dylan Hartley (captain)
3. Dan Cole
4. Maro Itoje
5. George Kruis
6. Chris Robshaw
7. James Haskell
8. Billy Vunipola
Replacements:
16. Jamie George
17. Matt Mullan
18. Paul Hill
19. Joe Launchbury
20. Courtney Lawes
21. Jack Clifford
22. Danny Care
23. Elliot Daly
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