England take on the Wallabies in Perth this coming Saturday, 2 July, and on the following weekends (in Brisbane on Saturday, 9 July, and Sydney on Saturday, 16 July).
England tours Australia only once every World Cup-cycle, and one can always expect high skill levels, on-field drama, and plenty of ‘respect earned the hard way’. Whilst the countries’ shared history and well documented sporting rivalry, forms the traditional backdrop of the tour (formerly known as the ‘Cook Cup’), both teams will be eager to create a new legacy - with the next 15 months being the most climactic in the rugby calendar. Most of all, this series offers a fascinating assessment of England’s chances at next year’s Rugby World Cup.
Recent History
Recent HistoryEngland is currently enjoying their longest ever winning-streak (8 wins) against Australia, which includes the 2016 series whitewash England enjoyed at the start of Eddie Jones’ tenure; their last visit down under. Australia meanwhile, have shown glimpses of brilliance under Kiwi coach Dave Rennie - notably two wins against the Springboks last year. If that wasn’t enough motivation for either squad, there’s every chance they’ll face each other in the (quarter-final) knockout stage at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
England’s Squad
England Head Coach Eddie Jones has recalled a number of seasoned internationals in the form of Danny Care and the Vunipola brothers to support some exciting young players set to make their debuts in Henry Arundell and Guy Porter.
FORWARDS:
Ollie Chessum, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Tom Curry, Charlie Ewels, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Joe Heyes, Jonny Hill, Nick Isiekwe, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Bevan Rodd, Patrick Schickerling (uncapped), Will Stuart, Sam Underhill, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola, Jack Walker, Jack Willis
BACKS:
Henry Arundell (uncapped), Danny Care, Joe Cokanasiga, Fraser Dingwall (uncapped), Owen Farrell, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Will Joseph (uncapped), Joe Marchant, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Guy Porter (uncapped), Harry Randall, Jack van Poortvliet (uncapped), Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward
Unavailable due to injury: Alex Dombrandt, George Ford, Joe Launchbury, Louis Lynagh, Sam Simmonds, Kyle Sinckler, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi, Nic Dolly and Anthony Watson.
England's Aims
To win the series, England’s forward pack must of course play tighter, tougher, and be less error-prone, since the Wallabies will become more threatening with each match played – this being the beginning of their international season.
However, unlike the win-strategy England falls back onto against the All Blacks or Springboks, which starts with the forwards (and often ends there) - against the Wallabies it’s different. It’s the midfield conductors and playmakers who often have the strongest impact in an England-Australia game. England will be well aware of the need to limit the impact of hard-hitters Samu Kerevi and Len Ikitau who the Australians are likely to select in midfield.
And so, Danny Care is in. Brilliant individual form aside, it’s Danny Care’s ability to give Marcus Smith maximum time and space on the ball that’s crucial for this series. Care’s crisp delivery will enhance the Smith-Farrell pairing (a priority now with George Ford out injured), and with England’s first-receivers inter-changing while sweeping left and right, their strongest runners, aka Steward, Marchant & Co., should receive plenty of flat ball with gaps ahead. Pundits have suggested the aforementioned as the likely starting backline, along with Joe Cokanasiga adding his physicality on wing. Jonny May’s COVID-positive test means Jack Nowell is likely to start the first test on the other wing, with one or more of the exciting young debutants possibly entering off the bench at some point.
In the forwards pack, Eddie Jones will look to reinforce what we know: that Genge, George, Itoje, Lawes, and Curry, form England’s solid bedrock, along with Billy Vunipola (since his near-heroic Premiership Final performance). With a list of untimely injuries including Sam Simmonds & Alex Dombrandt, you’d expect Nick Esiekwe, Lewis Ludlam and Jonny Hill to now see a significant amount of game time and the chance to cement their place in the squad going into a Rugby World Cup year.
So beyond winning, and expanding the squad, what else should Eddie aim for?
Chances are, he won’t have forgotten England’s last tour to the southern hemisphere. In 2018, in South Africa, the backline was on fire, and the Boks looked absolutely beaten in that first test. Yet the result eluded them. Eddie’s men know now that their foot must stay firmly on the peddle, right up until the final whistle. That comes through having a number of experienced leaders on the field at any one time.
With Farrell in the backs, Itoje in the forwards, and Premiership-winning Genge in the front row, the team is packed with ever-maturing leaders. As for an official captain, there’s also the option of Tom Curry’s cool head, and Courtney Lawes as a respected voice in group. But Eddie will be looking to unearth the next generation of leaders that can step up over the next 15 months to keep driving the team forward both on and off the pitch.
What to expect
England have a proud winning record against Australia that they’ll want to maintain. A forward pack that hates taking steps backwards, and backline debutants like Porter, Dingwall, Van Poortfliet (and more) putting hands up for 2023 Rugby World Cup and beyond, this test match series (now re-branded the Ella-Mobbs Cup - to honour Wallabies legend Mark Ella and the WW1-serving English soldier and rugby captain Edgar Mobbs), can hopefully offer us the end-to-end fireworks we’ve come to expect when these two teams meet.
When can you next watch England live?
Next chance you’ll get to see England play live at Twickenham will be in the Autumn Nations Series against Argentina (Sun 6 Nov), Japan (Sat 12 Nov), New Zealand (Sat 19 Nov), and South Africa (Sat 26 Nov). Our elite hospitality for each of these not-to-be-missed games is available for booking here.
