England recall Care, Vunipola for battle with Aussies at Perth
SYDNEY: England coach Eddie Jones has recalled scrum-half Danny Care and No.8 Billy Vunipola after lengthy absences in an experienced side captained by Courtney Lawes to take on the Wallabies in Perth tomorrow in the first of three July Tests.
While the core of the starting side that will be looking for a ninth straight win over Australia is made up of grizzled veterans, three players could make their Test debuts off the bench at Perth Stadium.
Former England under-20s skipper Jack van Poortvliet will back up Care at halfback, while centre Guy Porter and exciting 19-year-old fullback Henry Arundell — an apprentice player — could also launch their international careers.
Care was banished to international exile after a disagreement with Jones in 2018 but gets another chance at the age of 35 in the absence of Ben Youngs, while Vunipola will play his first Test since the 2021 Six Nations.
His brother, Mako Vunipola, also brings 67 caps worth of experience to the bench in a side that looks set up to muscle the Australians off the park.
Owen Farrell’s kicking, both for position and points, will be key to maintaining the pressure on the Wallabies if that is the gameplan and he was named at centre outside the more mercurial talents of flyhalf Marcus Smith.
Jack Nowell is another veteran of England’s 3-0 series sweep Down Under in 2016 and he starts on the right wing after recovering from a broken arm sustained during the Six Nations.
“We have had very strong preparation for this game,” said Jones. “We feel we have a well-balanced team which is ready for this improving Australia team. We’ll take it to them from the start.”
The England team also said yesterday that Charlie Ewels had been ruled out of the tour by a knee injury and would be replaced in the squad by Sam Jeffries, who will arrive in Australia before tomorrow.
DEBUTS FOR NEVILLE, PORECKI
Veteran lock Cadeyrn Neville and hooker David Porecki were handed Australia debuts yesterday in a powerful pack to face England in the first Test, while playmaker Quade Cooper got the nod over James O’Connor.
Neville, at 33, will become the third oldest man to debut for Australia when he starts at Perth’s Optus Stadium tomorrow after being on the fringes of the team for a decade.
The lineout specialist finally gets his chance with Izack Rodda out injured and will partner ACT Brumbies teammate Darcy Swain in the second row — among 12 players from Australia’s top Super Rugby side in the match-day 23.
Porecki also got a maiden call-up with his five years of experience for Saracens and London Irish playing in his favour after a stellar Super Rugby season with the NSW Waratahs.
Veteran Cooper won the battle for the No.10 shirt ahead of O’Connor, who failed to make the bench, with Noah Lolesio preferred, and will reunite with fellow Japan-based backs Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete. REUTERS/AFP
TEAMS
England (15-1): 15-Freddie Steward, 14-Jack Nowell, 13-Joe Marchant, 12-Owen Farrell, 11-Joe Cokanasiga, 10-Marcus Smith, 9-Danny Care, 8-Billy Vunipola, 7-Tom Curry, 6-Courtney Lawes (captain), 5-Jonny Hill, 4-Maro Itoje, 3-Will Stuart, 2-Jamie George, 1-Ellis Genge Replacements: 16-Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17-Mako Vunipola, 18-Joe Heyes, 19-Ollie Chessum, 20-Lewis Ludlam, 21-Jack van Poortvliet, 22-Guy Porter, 23-Henry Arundell
Australia (15-1): 15-Tom Banks, 14-Andrew Kellaway, 13-Len Ikitau, 12-Samu Kerevi, 11-Marika Koroibete, 10-Quade Cooper, 9-Nic White, 8-Rob Valetini, 7-Michael Hooper (captain), 6-Rob Leota, 5-Cadeyrn Neville, 4-Darcy Swain, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-Dave Porecki, 1-Angus Bell Replacements: 16-Folau Fainga’a, 17-Scott Sio, 18-James Slipper, 19-Matt Philip, 20-Pete Samu, 21-Jake Gordon, 22-Noah Lolesio, 23-Jordan Petaia