Chiefs trio on England bench

By Mark Stevens
16/11/17

Exeter Chiefs trio Henry Slade, Sam Simmonds and Harry Williams have all been named on the England bench ahead of their clash with Australia in the second Test of the Old Mutual Wealth Series on Saturday (3pm).

Slade drops out of the starting line-up at the expense of Owen Farrell in one of four changes head coach Eddie Jones has made to the side that defeated Argentina 21-8 last Saturday.

Farrell makes a return to the team for the first time this season at inside centre. Jonny May has been passed fit and will play on the right wing, while Anthony Watsonmoves to full-back after Mike Brown (was not considered for selection following his head injury last weekend.

The only change in the forward pack sees Joe Launchbury replace George Kruis. The Wasps lock will partner Courtney Lawes who is set to win his 60th cap for England. Maro Itoje is also called up in the matchday squad and is named as one of the finishers.

Eddie Jones said: “I have selected the strongest 23 to play Australia and we will have to be effective in everything we do this weekend to win. This is going to be a great challenge, as we know Australia have been in great form towards the end of their season.

“The players have had an extremely positive week. They have trained well and worked hard and we are all excited about going out on Saturday and playing well against a very good Australian side.”

England team to play Australia

15 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby 27 caps)

14 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers 27 caps)

13 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby 34 caps)

12 Owen Farrell (Saracens 52 caps)

11 Elliot Daly (Wasps 14 caps)

10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers 38 caps)

9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers 71 caps)

1 Mako Vunipola (Saracens 43 caps)

2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints 87 caps, capt)

3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers 75 caps)

4 Joe Launchbury (Wasps 45 caps)

5 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints 59 caps)

6 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins 57 caps)

7 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby 2 caps)

8 Nathan Hughes (Wasps 11 caps)

16 Jamie George (Saracens 18 caps)

17 Joe Marler (Harlequins 51 caps)

18 Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs 3 caps)

19 Maro Itoje (Saracens 12 caps)

20 Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs 1 cap)

21 Danny Care (Harlequins 74 caps)

22 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs 8 caps)

23 Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby 3 caps)