Uncapped Leicester Tigers centre Guy Porter has been named by Eddie Jones in the England team to play Australia this weekend.
Northampton’s Tommy Freeman (winger) also makes his debut while at scrum half, Jack van Poortvliet, will make his first start for England after scoring a try coming on as a finisher last weekend.
Owen Farrell starts at inside centre with Marcus Smith at fly half. Jack Nowell is on the other wing and Freddie Steward stays at full back. In the only change to the forward pack, Sam Underhill is at openside flanker. Courtney Lawes (blind-side flanker) captains the side and Billy Vunipola is at No. 8.
In the front row, props Ellis Genge and Will Stuart join hooker Jamie George. Maro Itoje and Jonny Hill are locks.
Jones said: “We have decided to make changes in our back line, they were tough calls but we feel they will strengthen the team. There are opportunities to attack against Australia which we can take.
“We have had solid preparation this week and looking forward to an important game in Brisbane. This game is the perfect practice for the World Cup and our focus is putting on our best performance.”
Here are five things you might not know about 25-year-old speedster centre.
#1. Lost Wallaby
Despite coming through the Australian rugby system, the Kensington-born centre makes his debut against them this weekend. Prior to this first cap, he was eligible to play for the Wallabies after moving to the country with his family at the age of seven.
He made his rugby breakthrough with Sydney University alongside now fellow Tigers outside back Harry Potter, spending five seasons there and sharing in back-to-back Shute Shield winning seasons, including as captain in 2019.
He joined the Brumbies at the beginning of 2020, before the Super Rugby season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and has previously represented the Sydney Stars and Sydney Rays in Australia’s National Rugby Championship, as well as the NSW Waratahs Under-20s.
Embed from Getty Images