"Consistency" - Mike Brown names his England XV for series decider

Sunday, 10 July 2022 at 17:35

byRugby Rucker

Mike Brown has called for consistency from England, suggesting only two sensible changed for their series decider against Australia.

"England have found a winning blueprint and need to build on it by adding consistency through whole matches," wrote Brown.

"If they can replicate that first half throughout the decider then I fully expect them come away with a 2-1 series victory.

"The best England teams over the last couple of years have had a dominant defence, squeezing teams to make errors, and that needs to be in their DNA. Backed up with some smart, tactical kicking, they will be difficult to stop."

MIKE BROWN'S ENGLAND XV:

BACK-THREE:

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
14. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
11. Joe Cokanasiga (Bath)

Freddie Steward of England goes over for a try during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK

CENTRES:

13. Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens)

Owen Farrell (c) of the Saracens during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Saracens at the Recreation Ground on 17 Oct. Photo: Steve Haag/PPAUK

HALFBACKS:

10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)

Marcus Smith of England lining up ready to kick a penalty during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on the 12th March 2022 - PHOTO: George Tewkesbury/PPAUK

FRONT-ROW:

1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)
2. Jamie George (Saracens)
3. Will Stuart (Bath)

Ellis Genge of England Rugby is tackled by Will Rowlands of Wales during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

SECOND-ROW:

4. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers) for rMaro Itoje (Saracens)
5. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs)

Maro Itoje of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

BACK-ROW:

6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
7. Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints) for Sam Underhill (Bath)
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens)

Billy Vunipola of Saracens on the break during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final Match between Leicester Tigers and Saracens at Twickenham Stadium on 18 June 2022. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK