Stuart Lancaster the England Coach has made several changes for the
first of the Autumn Internationals on Saturday 2nd November at
Twickenham Stadium against the fast improving Australia.
The new faces or ones who got blooded in Argentina are, Joel Tomkins
with his first cap at Outside Centre to Billy Twelevetrees Inside
Centre. In the pack Billy Vunipola comes in at No.8 with his brother
retained in the front row.. Tom Youngs is preferred to Dylan Hartley and
Ben Youngs gives way for Lee Dickson at scrum-half. Owen Farrell pushes
Toby Flood to the bench for the ten spot. On the wings Lancaster has
gone for Marland Yarde and Chris Ashton both of whom are in fine form
right now. In the engine room are Joe Launchbury and Courtney Lawes wiyh
Geoff Parling missing out having suffered concussion whilst training.
Stuart Lancaster said of Joel Tomkins: “Joel is ready for his chance,”
Billy Vunipola and Marland Yarde made a big impression in Argentina and
it’s going to be a special occasion for them to run out at Twickenham in
front of 82,000 passionate supporters for the first time.” Lancaster
closed by saying. “We are looking forward to the challenge of playing
Australia,” added Lancaster. “They have made great strides under Ewen
McKenzie and their new coaching team and they are formidable opponents.”
Here is the full squad listed below:
England team: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Chris Ashton (Saracens), Joel
Tomkins (Saracens), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester), Marland Yarde
(London Irish), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Lee Dickson (Northampton); Mako
Vunipola (Saracens), Tom Youngs (Leicester), Dan Cole (Leicester), Joe
Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Tom Wood
(Northampton), Chris Robshaw (captain, Harlequins), Billy Vunipola
(Saracens).
Replacements: Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Joe Marler Harlequins), David
Wilson (Bath), Dave Attwood Bath), Ben Morgan (Gloucester), Ben Youngs
(Leicester), Toby Flood (Leicester), Ben Foden (Northampton).
Given it will be a tough game we still feel that England will beat
Australia and open the Autumn Internationals as they hoped.