Eddie Jones makes one change as England head into third and final Test - Ruck
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Eddie Jones makes one change as England head into third and final Test

23 June 2016
Rugby Rucker
  • Eddie Jones makes just one change for the final Test against the Wallabies
  • Teimana Harrison comes in at openside flanker for the injured James Haskell
  • Leicester-bound Matt Toomua comes in as one of three changes to Australia’s starting XV
Eddie Jones has named Northampton Saints’ back-row forward Teimana Harrison in his starting 15 for the third and final Test match against Australia in Sydney on Saturday 25 June (kick-off 11am BST, live on Sky Sports 1).

Harrison comes into an otherwise unchanged 15 in place of James Haskell (Wasps) who has not recovered from a foot injury in time for the final Test at Allianz Park.

“You have to work extremely hard to earn an England cap so there was no temptation to make changes for the sake of change,” said England Head Coach Jones. “To play for England you have to be in the best 23 and that’s what this selection represents.

“Teimana comes into the side at seven for James Haskell whose foot hasn’t quite recovered from Saturday. Teimana has trained well throughout the tour and deserves his spot.

“He’s an excellent defender and his robustness will be important to us at the start of the game. Jack Clifford is unlucky to miss out, but will finish the game for us.”

More to follow.
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Meanwhile, Leicester-bound Matt Toomua has been selected at inside centre as one of three changes to Australia’s starting XV.

Will Skelton is recalled in the second row where he joins Rob Simmons – Australia’s third new partnership at lock in three Tests.

Head coach Michael Cheika said: “Toomua came back and we probably could have spun him out last week, but he needed more running in his legs.

“There’s a long way to go yet in this season so I didn’t want to burn him early. He’s an experienced player, he plays in that role as second playmaker for us, so it was a logical choice.”

Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Sean McMahon, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Will Skelton, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Stephen Moore (c), 1 James Slipper
Replacements (one player to be left out): Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio, Greg Holmes, Adam Coleman, Dean Mumm, Wycliff Palu, Nick Frisby, Christian Leali’ifano, Taqele Naiyaravoro

Date: Saturday, June 25
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 20:00 local (10:00 GMT)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)