Former Sydney University captain Guy Porter is set to make his debut for England after being picked on the bench for the series opener against the Wallabies in Perth.
Porter, a England-born, 25-year-old outside back, is fresh from helping Leicester Tigers to victory over Saracens in Sunday’s (AEST) Premiership final at Twickenham.
He was a Brumbies squad member in 2020 but did not play a Super Rugby game and moved to England two years ago when COVID-19 wrecked the Australian season.
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England’s Australian coach Eddie Jones has also stripped Owen Farrell of the captaincy and handed it to blindside flanker Courtney Lawes.
Farrell, England’s first choice skipper since 2018, will still start at inside centre, outside exciting five-eighth Marcus Smith and recalled halfback Danny Care.
Farrell hasn’t played for England since a win over the Wallabies in November last year because of injury.
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Care will start for the first time since 2018 while No.8 Billy Vunipola will play his first Test since March last year.
England has already suffered a blow Down Under with Charlie Ewels suffering a knee injury in training on Wednesday which has ruled him out of the tour.
Sam Jeffries has been called up as a squad replacement while Jack van Poortvliet and Henry Arundell are in line to join Porter in making their Test debuts from the bench.
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England haven’t lost to Australia under Jones’ watch dating back to 2016.
“We have had very strong preparation for this game,” Jones said.
“We did some good recovery work in Fremantle and quality training in Perth. The squad has come together well since we met up last week. Picking the 23 out of this group of 36 was difficult.
“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.”
ENGLAND (15-1): Freddie Steward, Jack Nowell, Joe Marchant, Owen Farrell, Joe Cokanasiga, Marcus Smith, Danny Care, Billy Vunipola, Tom Curry, Courtney Lawes (c), Jonny Hill, Maro Itoje, Will Stuart, Jamie George, Ellis Genge
Reserves: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Mako Vunipola, Joe Heyes, Ollie Chessum, Lewis Ludlam, Jack van Poortvliet, Guy Porter, Henry Arundell
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