England head coach Steve Borthwick has made an unprecedented selection call ahead of Sunday's clash with Australia, with Henry Pollock handed a surprise second role.
The Northampton Saints sensation is being prepared as emergency wing cover for England's Nations Championship opener at Twickenham.
Yes, you read that correctly. One of England's most exciting young back-rowers could find himself defending the touchline against the Wallabies.
It is all part of Borthwick's plan to pack six forwards onto his replacements bench.
And after a miserable Six Nations campaign, the England boss is clearly prepared to try something different.
Henry Pollock handed unprecedented England role
According to The Telegraph, Pollock has been lined up to provide emergency cover for Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
The 21-year-old starts on the bench, but could be thrown onto the wing if England suffer injuries out wide.
It is a remarkable move from Borthwick, who has previously experimented with using forwards in unfamiliar positions.
Ben Earl has already been deployed as an emergency centre, but Pollock's potential move to the wing takes that thinking another step further.
And there is a method to the madness.
Pollock possesses the pace of a back-three player, something Borthwick has been keen to explore.
The England boss revealed last year that his coaching staff had been looking at the possibility of using the youngster out wide.
Now he could be about to put that theory to the ultimate test.
By trusting Pollock to cover the wing, Borthwick can select six forwards and just two specialist backs among his replacements.
That includes uncapped Exeter Chiefs star Greg Fisilau, who could make his England debut.
The gamble gives England plenty of muscle for the closing stages.
But there is an obvious risk.
Australia possess some seriously dangerous runners out wide. If England lose a winger early, Pollock could find himself facing a very different challenge to the one he is used to.
It could be a masterstroke.
Or Borthwick might find himself watching through his fingers.
England team news: Fin Smith starts as Borthwick makes four changes
Borthwick has made four changes to the side that beat Argentina 31-24 in July.
Fin Smith has recovered from a calf injury and starts at fly-half, with Jack van Poortvliet alongside him.
George Furbank returns at full-back for his first England appearance in almost two years following a frustrating run of injuries.
Henry Slade partners Seb Atkinson in midfield, while Freeman and Feyi-Waboso occupy the wings.
In the forwards, captain Maro Itoje returns to the second row alongside Alex Coles.
Ben Curry replaces his injured twin brother Tom, while Fin Baxter gets the nod ahead of Ellis Genge at loosehead prop.
Baxter's selection is another interesting call. The Harlequins prop has played just 96 minutes of rugby over the past 10 months following a serious foot injury.
England are also without first-choice scrum-half Alex Mitchell, who has been ruled out of the autumn campaign.
With New Zealand still to come later this month, Borthwick will be desperate to avoid another injury headache.
England starting XV against Australia
- Fin Baxter
- Jamie George
- Joe Heyes
- Maro Itoje (captain)
- Alex Coles
- Ollie Chessum
- Ben Curry
- Ben Earl
- Jack van Poortvliet
- Fin Smith
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso
- Seb Atkinson
- Henry Slade
- Tommy Freeman
- George Furbank
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, George Martin, Greg Fisilau, Henry Pollock, Ben Spencer, Marcus Smith.
Australia team news: Wallabies bring serious firepower
Australia arrive at Twickenham looking to cause another upset on English soil.
Head coach Les Kiss has named Harry Wilson as captain, with Fraser McReight and Jeremy Williams completing a powerful back row.
Declan Meredith starts at fly-half alongside Ryan Lonergan.
Former Exeter Chiefs centre Len Ikitau returns from concussion and partners Isaac Henry in midfield.
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii moves to the left wing, with Max Jorgensen on the opposite flank.
Jorgensen will need no introduction to England supporters.
The youngster scored the dramatic winning try when Australia stunned England 42-37 at Twickenham in 2024.
He will fancy another crack at Borthwick's side.
Australia also have some serious muscle waiting among the replacements, including Taniela Tupou and Rob Valetini.
That sets up a fascinating battle between two powerful benches.
Australia starting XV against England
- Angus Bell
- Billy Pollard
- Allan Alaalatoa
- Josh Canham
- Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
- Jeremy Williams
- Fraser McReight
- Harry Wilson (captain)
- Ryan Lonergan
- Declan Meredith
- Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
- Len Ikitau
- Isaac Henry
- Max Jorgensen
- Tom Wright
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Isaac Kailea, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Carlo Tizzano, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Filipo Daugunu.
England v Australia: Recent results
England have enjoyed plenty of success against Australia in recent years, but the Wallabies have also shown they can spring a surprise.
The last five meetings:
- 2025: England 25-7 Australia
- 2024: England 37-42 Australia
- 2022: England 21-17 Australia
- 2022: England 25-17 Australia
- 2022: Australia 30-28 England
The 2024 defeat was particularly painful for England.
Borthwick's side looked to have snatched victory before Jorgensen crossed after the clock had gone red.
England responded with a convincing 25-7 win the following year.
Another victory on Sunday would give Borthwick's men a welcome boost ahead of their remaining November fixtures.
England v Australia: Kick-off time, TV channel and venue
- Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026
- Kick-off: 3:10pm GMT
- Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
- TV channel: ITV
- Live stream: ITVX
- Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
RUCK prediction: England v Australia
England 30-24 Australia
England should have enough to get the job done, but don't expect a stroll around Twickenham.
Fin Smith's return gives the hosts more control at fly-half, while Furbank offers another attacking option from deep.
The biggest advantage could come from the bench.
With Pollock, Fisilau, Genge and Cowan-Dickie waiting to enter the contest, England have plenty of power to throw at tiring Australian defenders.
However, the Wallabies have dangerous runners throughout their backline.
If Suaalii and Jorgensen find space, England could be in for an uncomfortable afternoon.
Borthwick is banking on his six-forward bench making the difference.
And if Pollock does end up on the wing, it might just become the biggest talking point of the weekend.
