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England have recorded their biggest ever victory over the Wallabies at Twickenham, walloping Michael Cheika’s men 30-6 in wet and windy conditions at Twickenham Stadium.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
England 30
Wallabies 6
The Wallabies are in red-hot form, but will run into a serious arm wrestle against an Eddie Jones-led England side on Sunday morning. Join The Roar for a live blog of the match, starting from 2am AEDT.
Eddie Jones and Michael Cheika will continue their ding-dong coaching battle when England host Australia at Twickenham.
Both sides have strong recent form, and any Australian fan will not have forgotten the 3-0 drubbing handed to them by the English last season.
However, Australia come into this fixture with significantly more confidence, and more importantly, a culture of winning and winning well.
So, what happens in this one?
For England, Owen Farrell and Mario Itoje are recalled to the side that downed Argentina last weekend. Itoje, in particular, was sorely missed as the English struggled at lineout time.
His inclusion off the bench should provide a good platform for Jones’ men to attack from anywhere – an area of the game they struggled with last start.
Mike Brown has succumbed to concussion, which sees Anthony Watson step into fullback, while Jonny May returns from injury on the wing.
For the tourists, Adam Coleman has been replaced by Blake Enever in the second row, in an otherwise unchanged starting fifteen.
Lopeti Timani comes into the side on the bench, whilst Cheika has opted for a 6-2 split in his reserves.
Where the game will be won
The set piece.
I can’t see a huge difference between both sides in attack. Owen Farrell’s return will do wonders for England’s attack, while Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani will provide impact in the midfield.
At set piece time, however, there are weaknesses on both sides. Australia’s second row looks weakened, especially without Adam Coleman’s leadership in the lineout.
Indeed, at scrum time, Cheika’s men are susceptible to phases of weakness. In any case, whoever is steadiest in the lineout and at scrum time, will win this in a tight tussle.
Prediction
England versus Australia in any sporting contest is a battle of attrition, with both sides taking it to a new level.
Indeed, Twickenham will be rocking on Sunday morning, and it should be a bumper game. England I feel have slightly more in the tank, and will win this one in an arm wrestle.
England by 5
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 2am AEDT.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.