{"id":230500,"date":"2025-10-28T17:42:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-28T17:42:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/230500\/"},"modified":"2025-10-28T17:42:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T17:42:10","slug":"george-ford-handed-no-10-shirt-for-englands-autumn-opener-against-australia-with-tommy-freeman-to-start-at-centre-in-team-that-includes-guy-pepper-and-sam-underhill","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/230500\/","title":{"rendered":"George Ford handed No 10 shirt for England’s autumn opener against Australia – with Tommy Freeman to start at centre in team that includes Guy Pepper and Sam Underhill"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ALEX BYWATER, RUGBY WRITER<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 10:23 EDT, 28 October 2025 | Updated: 11:39 EDT, 28 October 2025 <\/p>\n

George Ford<\/a> has been handed the England fly-half shirt for Saturday\u2019s autumn opener with Australia, with Tommy Freeman selected to start at outside centre.<\/p>\n

As expected, national head coach Steve Borthwick<\/a> has opted for Ford at No 10 ahead of Fin Smith and Marcus Smith for the meeting with the Wallabies<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Borthwick is preparing England for a crucial campaign, with Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina to follow Australia in arriving at Twickenham.<\/p>\n

His big decision for the opener was over who to pick at fly-half and it is Ford that has won the battle.<\/p>\n

The Sale man impressed in the position on England\u2019s summer tour of Argentina and has been in fine form in PREM Rugby so far this season.<\/p>\n

Ford is part of a Northampton-dominated back-line which involves Alex Mitchell at scrum-half and Fraser Dingwall and Freeman as the midfield pairing.<\/p>\n

\"George <\/p>\n

George Ford will start at fly-half for England against Australia ahead of Fin and Marcus Smith<\/p>\n

\"Tommy <\/p>\n

Tommy Freeman (centre) will begin at centre this weekend instead of his usual wing position<\/p>\n

\u2018We\u2019re excited to begin our Quilter Nations Series campaign against Australia and to test ourselves against a strong, in-form side,\u2019 said Borthwick.<\/p>\n

England matchday squad for Australia –\u00a0 3.10pm Saturday<\/p>\n

Starting XV: Freddie Steward; Tom Roebuck, Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso; George Ford, Alex Mitchell; Fin Baxter, Jamie George, Joe Heyes, Maro Itoje (capt), Ollie Chessum, Guy Pepper, Sam Underhill, Ben Earl\u00a0<\/p>\n

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge,\u00a0Will Stuart,\u00a0Alex Coles, Tom Curry, Henry Pollock, Ben Spencer, Fin Smith<\/p>\n

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\u2018Australia have had four months together, so it\u2019ll be a great challenge for us first up.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘We\u2019ve worked hard with the time we\u2019ve had and the players can\u2019t wait to play in front of a passionate home crowd.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s another opportunity for us to take a step forward as a team.\u2019<\/p>\n

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Tom Roebuck are on the wings, with Freddie Steward at full-back. The make-up of England\u2019s back-row is fascinating.<\/p>\n

Bath pair Guy Pepper and Sam Underhill start on the flanks with Ben Earl at No. 8.<\/p>\n

In the pack, Fin Baxter, Jamie George and Joe Heyes make up the front row with captain Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum at lock.<\/p>\n

Baxter starts ahead of Ellis Genge at loosehead and Heyes ahead of Will Stuart on the opposite side of the scrum.<\/p>\n

Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie will win his 50th cap should he appear off the bench.<\/p>\n

He is joined among the replacements by Genge, Stuart, Alex Coles, Tom Curry, Henry Pollock, Ben Spencer and Fin Smith.<\/p>\n

England\u2019s bench is made up of six forwards and two backs.<\/p>\n

Curry is set to make his first appearance of the season against Australia.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He underwent wrist surgery after the Lions tour and hasn\u2019t played for Sale this term.<\/p>\n

\"England <\/p>\n

England head coach Steve Borthwick is preparing his team for a pivotal autumn campaign<\/p>\n

There is no place in England\u2019s matchday squad for backs Ollie Lawrence or Henry Slade.<\/p>\n

On Cowan-Dickie\u2019s 50-cap milestone, Borthwick added: \u2018Luke is a fierce competitor who gives absolutely everything every time he pulls on an England shirt.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘Reaching 50 caps is a reflection of his consistency, resilience and commitment to the team over many years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘We couldn\u2019t be prouder of his achievement.\u2019<\/p>\n

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