Chiefs trio named in England squad

By Mark Stevens
11/11/21

Exeter Chiefs trio Henry Slade, Jonny Hill and Sam Simmonds have all been named in the England squad to face Australia in their latest Autumn Nations Series fixture at Twickenham on Saturday (5:30pm)

Slade and Hill, both of whom featured in last weekend’s win over Tonga, retain their places in the starting line-up, while Simmonds is named amongst the replacements for the clash.

Maro Itoje will make his 50th appearance for England, following his debut against Italy in 2016, while captain Owen Farrell returns to the side at inside centre, Slade stays at outside centre and Marcus Smith will start at fly-half.

Jonny May (left) and Manu Tuilagi (right) will be on the wings, Freddie Steward is at full-back and Ben Youngs is at scrum half.

In an unchanged forward pack from England’s 69-3 win over Tonga last weekend, Itoje is joined by lock Hill, hooker Jamie George and props Ellis Genge and Kyle Sinckler. Courtney Lawes stays at blind-side flanker, Sam Underhill is open-side flanker and Tom Curry is at No. 8.

Bevan Rodd and Raffi Quirke could make their England debuts after being named as finishers - alongside Jamie Blamire, Will Stuart, Charlie Ewels, Alex Dombrandt, Simmonds and Max Malins.

Jones said: “We know this will be a tough test for us, we’re playing against a team who have been together a while and who have beat the world champions twice. As an Australian I know how much this game means.

“We’ve had a really good week of preparation, we’re looking to improve our performance this week and I think this side is building well.”

England v Australia is live on Amazon Prime Sport and TalkSPORT [Saturday 13 November, 5.30pm KO].

ENGLAND SIDE TO FACE AUSTRALIA

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 3 caps)
14. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 44 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 41 caps)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 93 caps)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 67 caps)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 3 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 110 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 31 caps)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 60 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 45 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 49 caps)
5. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 10 caps)
6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 88 caps)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 25 caps)
8. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 34 caps)

16. Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 3 caps)
17. Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)
19. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 24 caps)
20. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 2 caps)|
21. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 7 caps)
22. Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
23. Max Malins (Saracens, 8 caps)