For a potential World Cup ending fixture, England have made three changes to their starting XV where as we see a huge 14 changes by Australia after resting players against Uruguay.
A must win for England
The phrase "a must win game" is mentioned an awful lot in sport and often in slightly exaggerated circumstances, how this Saturdays match between the hosts England and rival Australia is a genuine must win fixture.
The maths is simple, if England lose, they are near enough out of their own rugby World Cup. The price to pay for this would be massive with coaching staff likely losing jobs and players potentially losing places, this is as must win as they come.
After a nerve wracking defeat and some questionable decision making, England have made three changes to the side that succumbed to the old enemy in Wales.
Dropping out of the side after just one start is Bath RFC centre Sam Burgess, who is being replaced by the more regular starting centre of Jonathon Joseph.
Joseph will be swapping positions with Brad Barritt who is moving back to inside centre and allowing Joseph to take the outside centre spot.
Another change is No.8 Ben Morgan who starts in place of an injured Billy Vunipola, the Gloucester No.8 has been in and out of the England side for the last couple of seasons now and while he has yet to nail down a starting spot, he is considered a key member of the forwards pack.
The final change that Stuart Lancaster has made to his squad is the inclusion of Joe Launchbury, who is replacing injured lock Courtney Lawes. This is Launchbury’s first ever start for this country at a Rugby World Cup.
Wales win over Fiji puts pressure on Australia
The Australians however were able to rest near enough their entire side against Uruguay in their second fixture. The starting VX is the exact same as the starting XV that featured against Fiji in Australia’s opening fixture.
The Wallabies have two wins in two games and a win over England will near enough guarantee themselves and Wales qualification to the knock out stages with only top spot left to fight for.
A loss in the match against England however and Australia’s upcoming fixture against Wales could potentially cost them their place in the Rugby World Cup knock out stages.
Line ups
England: Mike Brown, Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Brad Barritt, Jonny May, Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs, Joe Marler, Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Joe Launchbury, Geoff Parling, Tom Wood, Chris Robshaw, Ben Morgan
Replacements
Rob Webber, Mako Vunipola, Kieran Brookes, George Kruis, Nick Easter, Richard Wigglesworth, George Ford, Sam Burgess
Australia: Israel Folau; Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Rob Horne; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Stephen Moore, Sekope Kepu; Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons; Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, David Pocock.
Replacements:
Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Dean Mumm, Ben McCalman, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale.
