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Injuries force England to tweak team for Wallabies clash

1st October, 2015
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Mike Brown was a lone bright light in England's opening win over Fiji. (AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS)
1st October, 2015
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England have named their team to play the Wallabies on Sunday morning, with a few changes forced due to injuries.

With powerful carrying forwards Courtney Lawes and Billy Vunipola unavailable due to injury, Stuart Lancaster has been forced to alter his forward pack that was on the losing side against Wales.

Vunipola will miss the rest of the tournament with injury, and he has been replaced by burly eighth man Ben Morgan, who certainly doesn’t lack power himself.

WALLABIES TEAM TO PLAY ENGLAND

Geoff Parling will pair Joe Launchbury in the second row in the absence of Lawes, while Tom Wood retains his place at blindside flanker ahead of Jamie Haskell.

Sam Burgess, as touted earlier in the week, has moved to the bench to make way for Jonathan Joseph, who will play outside centre with the tough Brad Barritt moving to Burgess’ spot at inside centre.

Owen Farrell retains his fly half position ahead of George Ford, in a signal of the kind of game England will want to play.

His pinpoint goalkicking is sure to be a factor.

Ben Youngs has overcome injury, in what is a huge boost for England.

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Possibly England’s best player against Wales, he came off in the second half with an injury scare.

England coach Stuart Lancaster said he had no concerns over the fitness of Youngs, who would have been a big concern after his early exit from the field against Wales.

“JJ and Ben Youngs are both fit and raring to go, as are the rest of the squad for what will be a huge game against a very good team.

“England-Australia matches at Twickenham are always massive occasions, this one more than ever, and we want everyone behind us so we can get the result we all want.”

England side to face Australia
15. Mike Brown
14. Anthony Watson
13. Jonathan Joseph
12. Brad Barritt
11. Jonny May
10. Owen Farrell
9. Ben Youngs
8. Ben Morgan
7. Chris Robshaw
6. Tom Wood
5. Geoff Parling
4. Joe Launchbury
3. Dan Cole
2. Tom Youngs
1. Joe Marler

Replacements
16. Rob Webber
17. Mako Vunipola
18. Kieran Brookes
19. George Kruis
20. Nick Easter
21. Richard Wigglesworth
22. George Ford
23. Sam Burgess

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