Fin Smith will wear the England No 10 shirt against Australia on Sunday after shaking off a calf problem, giving Steve Borthwick the playmaker who has started the past five Tests. The Fin Smith fit to start England vs Australia decision removes a major selection question before the Nations Championship opener at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Smith, 24, had been uncertain after leaving the field late in Northampton’s defeat by Leicester on 24 October. His recovery means he resumes alongside a backline featuring club colleagues Tommy Freeman and George Furbank, with Henry Slade restored at outside centre.
Curry returns to back row
Ben Curry is back in the England XV after 16 months disrupted by injury. His twin brother Tom dropped out of contention after a training setback earlier in the week, leaving Ben to help counter Australia’s breakdown pair Fraser McReight and Carlo Tizzano. Borthwick’s selection suggests England want quicker ball for Smith and the outside backs.
Up front, Alex Coles gets the nod in the second row ahead of George Martin. Fin Baxter starts at loose-head prop, with Ellis Genge among the replacements alongside Will Stuart as England stack their bench with front-row experience. Joe Marchant and Will Joseph miss the matchday 23.
Fisilau set for debut
Exeter back-rower Greg Fisilau is in line for a first cap from the bench. The Plymouth-born forward, whose father Keni played for Tonga, was first called into the senior squad in January. Borthwick praised his work rate and the power he brings to the side.
England assembled for the autumn only on Monday evening, while Australia have played seven Tests since England’s July win over Argentina. Borthwick said his players know the challenge awaiting them and are looking forward to it.
Australia make back-row switch
Australia have named Jeremy Williams, normally a lock, at blindside flanker as they target England’s set-piece. Len Ikitau returns at inside centre after missing the defeat by New Zealand under head injury assessment protocols, and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is selected on the wing. Rob Valentini, Taniela Tupou and Carlo Tizzano provide power from the bench.
England face Japan on 14 November and New Zealand on 21 November before a Nations Championship finals weekend play-off against a southern-hemisphere opponent still to be confirmed.
England XV: Furbank; Freeman, Slade, Atkinson, Feyi-Waboso; F Smith, van Poortvliet; Baxter, George, Heyes, Itoje, Coles, Chessum, Curry, Earl. Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Stuart, Martin, Fisilau, Pollock, Spencer, M Smith.
Australia: Wright; Jorgensen, Suaalii, Henry, Ikitau; Meredith, Lonergan; Bell, Pollard, Alaalatoa, Canham, Salakaia-Loto, Williams, McReight, Wilson. Replacements: Nasser, Kailea, Tupou, Valetini, Tizzano, McDermott, Donaldson, Daugunu.
