Joe Schmidt has named his Wallabies team to tackle England at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Starting in the front-row where Taniela Tupou returns to the run-on side, having missed the second Test match against the All Blacks and the clash against Japan last week.
Interestingly, Schmidt has opted to pair Tupou with loosehead prop Angus Bell and hooker Billy Pollard in what is arguably Australia’s most potent scrummaging unit.
Schmidt rings the changes
That contrasts the approach of England boss Steve Borthwick, who has named the British and Irish Lions trio of Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Will Stuart on the bench.
With Will Skelton not selected in the Wallabies‘ touring group, Schmidt has selected the second-row pairing of Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams, the former enjoying possibly the best form of his international career in 2025.
The forward pack is completed by the return of regular skipper Harry Wilson, who starts in the number eight jersey, and he is flanked by openside Franser McReight and blindside Rob Valetini.
Into the backs, where Jake Gordon and Tane Edmed combine in the halfbacks for the third straight Test match, while Hunter Paisami and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii partner up in the midfield in the absence of Exeter-based Len Ikitau, who is unavailable for selection this week as the fixture falls outside World Rugby’s official international window.
Rassie Erasmus is ‘unchallenged’ by World Rugby policies… so why can’t the Wallabies get it right?
The run-on team is completed by the lethal back-three of wingers Harry Potter and Max Jorgensen, and full-back Andrew Kellaway.
Hooker Josh Nasser is named as front-row cover along with experienced props Tom Robertson and Allan Alaalatoa, while the Wallabies are boosted by the return of Lukhhan Salakaia-Loto, who has recovered from a rib complaint.
Last weekend’s captain Nick Champion de Crespingy is selected as the back-row replacement as Schmidt opts for the traditional 5-3 split on the bench where rookie halfback Ryan Lonergan is in line for his third Test cap and utility back Hamish Stewart for his fourth.
The team is completed by replacement winger Filipo Daugunu.
“The group travelled well to London earlier in the week and have had a couple of trainings ahead of this weekend’s Test,” Wallabies boss Schmidt said.
“The coaches have tried to balance this year’s tough schedule in terms of Test matches and travel, so it was great to freshen a few players up last week and we hope that allows the group to be really competitive on Saturday.”
Dan Biggar urges World Rugby to take action after slamming ‘devalued’ England v Wallabies clash
Wallabies team to face England
Australia: 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 Angus Bell
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Hamish Stewart, 23 Filipo Daugunu
Date: Saturday, November 1
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Kick-off: 15:10 GMT/2:10am AEDT (Sunday)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referees: James Doleman (NZR), Craig Evans (WRU)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)