England team: Steve Borthwick goes BOLD as Tommy Freeman at centre and five Lions benched for Wallabies showdown
George Ford will start for England with Luke Cowan-Dickie named on the bench for milestone cap.
England head coach Steve Borthwick has named his team to face Australia at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday, with George Ford handed the fly-half jersey.
The Red Rose’s opening Test of the 2025 Autumn Nations Series sees Maro Itoje named as skipper with Ellis Genge, George Ford and Jamie George the lock’s vice-captains.
The meeting marks a significant milestone for Luke Cowan-Dickie, who is set to win his 50th England cap from the bench, having made his debut against France in 2015.
Ford gets the nod
However, the stand-out news is the decision to retain Ford in the number 10 jersey ahead of British and Irish Lions tourist Fin Smith, who features on a 6/2 bench split.
Ford is joined in the half-backs by Alex Mitchell while Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman are the centre combination as Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade miss the 23.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Tom Roebuck line up on the wings while Freddie Steward is starting at full-back, with Ben Spencer and Smith the two backline replacements.
In the forward pack it will be the first England appearance at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham for Guy Pepper and Henry Pollock, with Pepper starting as blindside flanker.
Fin Baxter gets the nod as the starting loosehead prop and is joined in the front-row by tighthead Joe Heyes and hooker George, with Itoje and Ollie Chessum the locks.
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Further back Pepper links up with Bath team-mate Sam Underhill on the flanks while Ben Earl will run out in the number eight position for England’s November opener.
There are six Lions among the replacements with five of those having started in their Six Nations finale against Wales in March.
Henry Pollock is the only tourist on the bench who was not in the XV for that encounter at the Principality Stadium.
“We’re excited to begin our Quilter Nations Series campaign against Australia and to test ourselves against a strong, in-form side,” beamed England coach Borthwick.
“Australia have had four months together, so it’ll be a great challenge for us first up. We’ve worked hard with the time we’ve had, and the players can’t wait to play in front of a passionate home crowd.
“It’s another opportunity for us to take a step forward as a team.”
On Cowan-Dickie’s 50-cap milestone, Borthwick added: “Luke is a fierce competitor who gives absolutely everything every time he pulls on an England shirt.
“Reaching 50 caps is a reflection of his consistency, resilience and commitment to the team over many years. We couldn’t be prouder of his achievement.”
Team to face Wallabies
England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tom Roebuck, 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 10 George Ford, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Guy Pepper, 5 Ollie Chessum, 4 Maro Itoje (c), 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Jamie George, 1 Fin Baxter
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Fin Smith
Date: Saturday, November 1
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Kick-off: 15:10 GMT
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (NZR), Craig Evans (WRU)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
