Third-ranked England faces sixth-ranked Australia in the first 2019 Rugby World Cup Quarterfinal at Oita Stadium, Oita on Saturday, October 19. Kickoff is at 16:15 local (03:15 ET) In the U.S, the match may be viewed on NBCSN or on-demand on NBC Sports Gold and in Canada on TSN 1 and 4.
England
Head Coach Eddie Jones’s squad is rested since the final pool match against France was canceled.
Eddie Jones has made changes for England’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final with Australia, starting captain Owen Farrell at fly-half with George Ford dropping to the reserves.
This change allowed a center paring of Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade, who started four of England’s five 2019 Six Nations Championship games together.
Billy Vunipola returns at No.8 having recovered from the ankle injury he suffered against Argentina and starts alongside brother Mako, who replaces Joe Marler at loose-head prop in his first England start since February.
Courtney Lawes will pair with Maro Itoje in the second row with George Kruis on the bench. Other reserves include Lewis Ludlam as a back-row replacement, with Ford and Jonathan Joseph back options.
Australia
Head coach Michael Cheika also made some surprising changes in naming 19-year-old Jordan Petaia to partner Samu Kerevi in the midfield against England. After two starts on the left-wing, he will be at outside center. James O’Connor moves to the reserves.
Christian Lealiifano returns at fly-half and will partner with Will Genia. It is just the second time the pair have started at 9 and 10 together and marks the fourth new half-back pairing for the Wallabies at Rugby World Cup 2019.
Kurtley Beale retains his place at full-back provided that he continues to pass protocols after his concussion against Georgia. Reece Hodge returns to the right-wing after completing a three-match suspension for foul play, with Marika Koroibete moving to the left. Dane Haylett-Petty drops out of the match-day 23.
The forward pack includes two changes from the Georgia match, with skipper Michael Hooper returning on the openside flanker and prop Allan Alaalatoa resuming his position at tight-head prop.
Squads
England: 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Jamie George, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Courtney Lawes, 6 Tom Curry, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Billy Vunipola, 9 Ben Youngs, 10 Owen Farrell (capt.), 11 Jonny May, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 13 Henry Slade, 14 Anthony Watson, 15 Elliot Daly 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Dan Cole, 19 George Kruis, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 George Ford, 23 Jonathan Joseph
Australia: 1 Scott Sio, 2 Tolu Latu, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 4 Izack Rodda, 5 Rory Arnold, 6 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper (capt.), 8 Isi Naisarani, 9 Will Genia, 10 Christian Leali’ifano, 11 Marika Koroibete, 12 Samu Kerevi, 13 Jordan Petaia, 14 Reece Hodge, 15 Kurtley Beale 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 James Slipper, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Adam Coleman, 20 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 21 Nic White, 22 Matt To’omua, 23 James O’Connor
Referee: Jerome Garces (France)
Assistants Referees: Romain Poite (France), Mathieu Raynal (France)
TMO: Ben Sheen (England)
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