England coach Eddie Jones has recalled scrum half Danny Care and No 8 Billy Vunipola after long absences in an experienced match led by Courtney Lawes to take on the Wallabies in Saturday’s first of three Tests.
While the core of the starting squad in Perth, who are looking to take a ninth straight win over Australia, is made up of veteran grays, three players can make their test debut from the bench – Jack van Poortvliet, Guy Porter and exciting 19-year-old old fullback Henry Arundell.
Care was banned from international exile after a disagreement with Jones in 2018, but will be given another chance at age 35 in the absence of Ben Youngs, while Vunipola will play his first test since the 2021 Six Nations. His brother Mako also brings 67 caps of experience to the bench in a team that looks set to rip the Australians off the park.
Kicking Owen Farrell, both for position and for points, will be key to keeping pressure on the Wallabies and he was named center outside fly-half Marcus Smith, although Jones admitted Farrell was “very unlucky” to strip him of his captaincy.
“We have had a very strong preparation for this game,” said the head coach. “We feel we have a well-balanced team that is ready for this improving Australian team. We will guide it to them from the start.”
How many tests are there?
England will travel to Australia this month for a series of three tests, with games in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney.
When are the matches?
The first Test will be in Perth on Saturday 2 July, the second Test will take place in Brisbane on Saturday 9 July and the third and final Test will be held in Sydney on Saturday 16 July. All three games start at 11am BST.
What TV channel are the games on?
The three Tests will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK. Alternatively, you can follow Telegraph Sport’s live coverage of all three matches.