Sports · Other Sports · 20 mins ago
Wallabies prepare to face England amid reports of unrest
Australia's Wallabies face England at Twickenham on Sunday in an opening Nations Championship Test.
Reports of unrest in England's camp have shaped the build-up, including claims players wanted talks with coach Steve Borthwick.
England players have rejected the suggestion of disunity and say they will show their support for Borthwick on the field.
Australia captain Harry Wilson says his team will put England under pressure and is focused on the Wallabies' own unity.
England fly-half Fin Smith has recovered from a calf injury and will start, while Ben Curry returns after an injury-hit period.
Australia plan to use Rob Valetini as a powerful option off the bench, along with Taniela Tupou and Carlo Tizzano.
Both teams are seeking a strong performance, with Australia aiming to respond after two recent defeats by New Zealand and England looking to build momentum ahead of next year's Six Nations and Rugby World Cup.
Fin Smith has recovered from a calf injury and will start at fly-half for England against Australia.
The Nations Championship Test is scheduled for Sunday at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.
England captain Maro Itoje returns to lead the side, while Ben Curry makes his Test return after an injury-hit 16 months.
Australia captain Harry Wilson says his team will test England’s reported lack of unity by putting them under pressure.
Both sides are looking to make use of strong players on their benches.
- Who
- England and Australia’s men’s rugby teams.
- What
- They are set to meet in a Nations Championship Test. Fin Smith will start at fly-half for England.
- When
- Sunday, November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium in England.
- Why
- The match is England’s opening Test of the autumn campaign. Australia are seeking to rebound from recent defeats and test England’s reported lack of unity.
Harry Wilson and Australia
Ugo Monye and England
Match approach
Harry Wilson and Australia
Wilson says Australia will put England under pressure to test how close they are as a team.
Ugo Monye and England
Monye expects England to respond to the pressure with a siege mentality and believes it could bring out their best.
Bench
Harry Wilson and Australia
Wilson says Rob Valetini can provide Australia with an X-factor from the bench.
Ugo Monye and England
Monye says England’s replacements can be crucial in the fourth quarter.
Smith came off late in Northampton’s defeat by Leicester, leaving him a doubt for the Australia Test.
Tom Curry had an injury setback in training and was ruled out of contention.
BBC Sport reported that Smith had recovered from his calf injury and would start against Australia.
England are scheduled to face Australia at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.
- Fin Smith
- Recovered from a calf injury; selected to start at fly-half.
- Ben Curry
- Makes his Test return after an injury-hit 16 months.
- Maro Itoje
- Named England captain.
- Venue
- Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.
- Australia bench
- Rob Valetini, Taniela Tupou and Carlo Tizzano are named as replacements.
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What people are saying
It could go one or two ways for them, and I guess it's on us to put them under pressure to see how close they are as a team.
We know how close we are, how much we care for each other, and how much we love playing for our coach and coaching staff
He's a powerful, athletic player who brings real energy to the team.
They will want to put on a real show of unity and that can have a galvanising effect.
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