England vs Wallabies highlights: England win, 37-21

Australia gave up some early advantages on Sunday morning (AEDT) and were ultimately outpaced in the second half by a victorious English outfit, finishing with a scoreline of 21-37.

All the wash-up from England vs Wallabies:
» Match Report: Wallabies waste early leads
» Five talking points from the match
» What changes should Australia make for 2017?
» Vote on our DIY Player Ratings
» Watch all the highlights from the match

Final score
England 37
Australia 21

Match preview:

This Sunday morning game sees Australia travelling to London to play England. Join The Roar from 1:30am (AEDT) for all the live action as the Wallabies look to end their season on a high note at Twickenham.

A lot of pre-match talk has centred on the war of words between the teams’ opposing coaches, both Australian and former Randwick teammates Eddie Jones and Michael Cheika – the entertainment value this has provided however is only the side show, and now we can all look forward to the match at hand.

Both squads have had injury concerns to content with in the lead-up to this morning’s match.

The grand slam dream is gone for the Wallabies after their 3-point loss in Dublin but this would certainly be forgiven with a victory over the old foe on their home ground after a disappointing home result in June this season.

Coach Michael Cheika has made four changes to his starting side from the Dublin encounter. Lopeti Timani comes into the starting side at No.8, forcing David Pocock to blindside and Dean Mumm to the bench, while Kane Douglas starts ahead of Rory Arnold who drops out of the 23 altogether, and Nick Phipps takes over at halfback for the unavailable Will Genia due to club commitments with Nick Frisby taking the bench spot. Finally, the in form Sefanaia Naivalu gets a chance to start with Henry Speight demoted to the bench.

Eddie Jones will be looking to end the Spring Tour on a high with a view to England’s build up to this season’s Six Nations and I imagine a fair bit of pride on the line coaching against Australia, and will look to go 4-nil up over his ex-club mate after England’s successful June series.

Jones has had to make two changes from his starting side last weekend, due to injury and suspension which sees Nathan Hughes starting at No.8 in place of Billy Vunipola and Marland Yarde comes in for Elliot Daly who is serving suspension in what looks a powerful English side.

The Wallabies have looked to play with width and run with the ball as much as possible this season and there is little to suggest this will change, greater accuracy with ball in hand and choices made will be a priority against a clinical English side as mistakes are likely to be punished heavily by this physical side and with a very solid set piece and accurate kicking game, the Wallabies could soon find themselves under a lot of pressure.

Match-ups to keep an eye on will be between two very different and high quality fullbacks in Mike Brown and Israel Folau, while on the side, Chris Robshaw and David Pocock shape as central figures to their team’s fortunes while the performance of both sides’ captains, Stephen Moore and Dylan Hartley will be one to watch while in the scrums, Scott Sio will need to be at his best against Dan Cole.

Join us here on The Roar from 1:30am AEDT as we cover all the action live and do not be shy of leaving your thoughts on the action in the comments section below!

Tip – England by 12. I suspect a better kicking game and a stronger set piece, combined with the Wallabies playing their 15th Test this season, will result in an English victory.

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