"That will be one to chew over" - Sir Clive Woodward picks his England XV for Australia clash

Sunday, 07 November 2021 at 09:06

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byRugby Rucker

Former England boss Sir Clive Woodward has revealed the two changes he would make heading into next week's match against Australia at Twickenham.

Eddie Jones' men launched their Autumn Nations Series with an 11-try demolition of Tonga in front of a sold-out Twickenham.

The 81,000 back for the first time since March 2020, and Woodward is backing his old side to go unbeaten throughout the Autumn.

"I am tipping England to beat both Australia and South Africa, although they will be very different games," wrote Woodward. " It’s time for England to get some momentum back."

"t I was encouraged by the energy England showed on Saturday and the promise of much better things to come in the weeks and months ahead."

Here are the changes Woodward would make to the England XV:

England’s Autumn Nations Series fixtures

England vs Australia, 5.30pm on Sat 13 Nov
England vs South Africa, 3.15pm on Sat 20 Nov

Where to watch the Autumn Nations Series:

Prime members can watch the Autumn Nations Series live from 30^th October with the Prime Video app on TVs, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Fire tablets, games consoles, on Virgin’s V6 TV Box, the Talk Talk TV set top box, Apple TV, Chromecast, BT TV or online.

For a list of all compatible devices visit amazon.co.uk/watchanywhere.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: MY ENGLAND XV

BACK-THREE:

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
14. Jonny May (Gloucester)
11. Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons)

Try Celebrations for Jonny May of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

CENTRES:

13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
12. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks)

Woodward wrote: "Manu is looking very fit and quick again, and was nice and busy in midfield. With bigger fish to fry, he came off early in the second half before the game opened up even more but this could be a big autumn for him.

"This will pose head coach Eddie Jones a selection dilemma because Manu and Slade must be played together for the big matches. A Slade-Manu combo is what opponents least want to face. So pick them!"

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

HALFBACKS:

10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
for George Furbank (Northampton Saints)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Woodward wrote: "The arrival of Marcus Smith’s twinkling feet midway through the second half on Saturday was the cherry on the cake. I fancy the emergence of Smith over the coming years will see Slade become more and more prominent in attack. They operate on the same wavelength."

"It must be either Owen Farrell or Smith at 10, with the other on the bench. That will be one to chew over this week and next but you want that kind of tough decision to make."

Try Celebrations for Marcus Smith of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

FRONT-ROW:

1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)
2. Jamie George (Saracens)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)

Ellis Genge of England celebrates after winning with his son Ragh Ellis during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

SECOND-ROW:

4. Maro 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. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
8. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins) for Sam Underhill (Bath RFC)

Courtney Lawes, Captain of England celebrates after winning during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK