England have recalled fit-again centre Jonathan Joseph for their must-win World Cup clash against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.
Joseph missed the dramatic 28-25 defeat by Wales at Twickenham with a chest injury. Rugby league convert Sam Burgess started instead but now drops to the replacement bench.
England have to win to stay in contention in Pool A and coach Stuart Lancaster said it would be “a huge match”.
“England-Australia matches at Twickenham are always massive occasions, this one more than ever, and we want everyone behind us so we can get the result we all want,” he said.
Joseph returns at outside centre, with Brad Barritt moving back across to his more familiar inside centre position.
Owen Farrell, who landed all of his goal-kicks against Wales, retained his place at fly-half, with George Ford again on the bench.
Burgess is now likely to be used as a second-half impact replacement — the role he filled in England’s opening ‘Pool of Death’ win over Fiji.Ā
In the pack, No 8 Ben Morgan and lock Joe Launchbury have replaced Billy Vunipola and Courtney Lawes respectively because of knee injuries.
Nick Easter, called up into the squad this week after Vunipola was ruled out of the rest of the tournament, is on the bench.
This is a third World Cup for Easter, a member of the England side that lost the 2007 final to South Africa in Paris.Ā
George Kruis is set for his first World Cup matchday experience after being included as a second row replacement. Ā
Scrum-half Ben Youngs was passed fit to start following an ankle knock.
England have won their last two Tests against Australia, the reigning southern hemisphere Rugby Championship title-holders, and under-pressure coach Lancaster said: “JJ and Ben Youngs are both fit and raring to go, as are the rest of the squad for what will be a huge game against a very good team.”
If Wales get a bonus-point win over Fiji on Thursday, England will have to beat Australia to maintain their hopes of a quarter-final place.
England are anxious to avoid becoming the first World Cup hosts to drop out before the knockout stages. –Ā Agence France-Presse
