The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Eddie Jones proves two can play at the selection surprise game with England team announcement

17th October, 2019
Advertisement
Autoplay in... 6 (Cancel)
Up Next No more videos! Playlist is empty -
Replay
Cancel
Next
17th October, 2019
83
4876 Reads

George Ford has been dropped to the bench for England’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against the Wallabies in a surprising day of selection news.

Hours after it was reported Jordan Petaia will be a shock starter at outside centre for Australia, Eddie Jones unveiled an unexpected midfield of his own for the knockout clash.

Ford, who has been one of England’s best performers this World Cup, has been named amongst the reserves, with captain Owen Farrell and Manu Tuilagi both shifting one place closer to the ruck, to flyhalf and inside centre respectively. Henry Slade will start at outside centre.

“George Ford will finish the game for us,” said Jones.

“He’ll have a very significant role, we just feel at the start of the game it’s going to be fairly brutal. Having Owen at 10 will serve the team in the best interests.”

In a boost for the Red Roses, both Vunipola brothers will start against Australia, Billy from number 8 having overcome an injury and Mako in the front row for his first run-on appearance of the tournament.

“We feel Mako’s ready to play a significant part in this game. His ability to scrummage and also be effective in general play is a great bonus for us and we’re delighted to have him back into the team…

“Once you get to the quarter-finals it’s about having the right mindset. We know how well we can play, it’s about us playing to our strengths and trying to take away from what Australia want.

Advertisement

“Australia are a clever team, they will have some specific attacking strategies to play against us so we need to have a great situational awareness. We need to defend with brutality and when we have the ball we need play on top of them.”

England team to face Australia in RWC quarter-final

15. Elliot Daly
14. Anthony Watson
13. Henry Slade
12. Manu Tuilagi
11. Jonny May
10. Owen Farrell (c)
9. Ben Youngs
8. Billy Vunipola
7. Sam Underhill
6. Tom Curry
5. Courtney Lawes
4. Maro Itoje
3. Kyle Sinckler
2. Jamie George
1. Mako Vunipola

Bench
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie
17. Joe Marler
18. Dan Cole
19. George Kruis
20. Lewis Ludlam
21. Willi Heinz
22. George Ford
23. Jonathan Joseph

close