George Ford gets nod at fly-half for England against Australia in Quilter Nations Series as Tommy Freeman starts at centre
Updated 30/10/2025 at 18:53 GMT
England have named their team to play Australia in their Quilter Nations Series opening match on Saturday, November 1. George Ford continues at fly-half with Fin Smith on the bench and Marcus Smith not in the squad. Guy Pepper is included in the starting XV along with Northampton duo Tommy Freeman and Fraser Dingwall. Maro Itoje captains England at Twickenham.
A 'mini-World Cup' with no winner: Rugby's Autumn Internationals explained
Video credit: TNT Sports
George Ford will start at fly-half for England in their Quilter Nations Series opener against Australia on Saturday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Sale’s Ford has been given the nod at No. 10 after playing the position on the summer tour of Argentina and the United States.
Northampton fly-half Fin Smith is on the bench while there is no space for Harlequins’ Marcus Smith in the squad.
Guy Pepper has been picked ahead of Tom Curry in the back row and Tommy Freeman, who started on the wing for all three Lions Tests against Australia, is at outside centre.
Freeman and Northampton team-mate Fraser Dingwall start ahead of Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence, neither of whom make the squad.
Leicester’s Freddie Steward starts at full-back and Sale's Tom Roebuck is on the right wing with Exeter’s Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the other side.
"We’re excited to begin our Quilter Nations Series campaign against Australia and to test ourselves against a strong, in-form side," said England head coach Steve Borthwick.
"Australia have had four months together, so it’ll be a great challenge for us first up. We’ve worked hard with the time we’ve had, and the players can’t wait to play in front of a passionate home crowd.
"It’s another opportunity for us to take a step forward as a team."
Among the England subs are Northampton’s Henry Pollock and Sale’s Luke Cowan-Dickie, who is set to win his 50th cap.
"Luke is a fierce competitor who gives absolutely everything every time he pulls on an England shirt," said Borthwick.
"Reaching 50 caps is a reflection of his consistency, resilience and commitment to the team over many years. We couldn’t be prouder of his achievement."
England’s clash with Australia is followed by matches against Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina.
Schmidt picks Edmed as Gordon misses out
Australia have picked Tane Edmed to start at fly-half against England, and there are recalls for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen and Taniela Tupou.
Australia remain unable to call up several of their senior players who ply their trade in Europe, with James O'Connor, lock Will Skelton and Len Ikitau missing out.
Edmed features as Carter Gordon is reportedly dealing with a quad injury, while Hamish Stewart will be on the bench as cover.
Captain Harry Wilson is back at No. 8, with the stand-in captain from last week’s match against Japan, Nick Champion de Crespigny, dropping to the bench.
"The coaches have tried to balance this year's tough schedule in terms of Test matches and travel," head coach Joe Schmidt said.
"It was great to freshen a few players up last weekend and we hope that allows the group to be really competitive on Saturday."
Australia team to play England
Australia: 15. A Kellaway; 14. M Jorgensen, 13. J-A Suaalii, 12. H Paisami, 11. H Potter; 10. T Edmed, 9. J Gordon; 1. A Bell, 2. B Pollard, 3. T Tupuo, 4. N Frost, 5. J Williams, 6. R Valetini, 7. F McReight, 8. H Wilson (c)
Replacements: Nasser, Robertson, Alaalatoa, Salakaia-Loto, Champion de Crespigny, Lonergan, Stewart, Daugunu
England team to play Australia
England: 15. F Steward; 14. T Roebuck, 13. T Freeman, 12. F Dingwall, 11. I Feyi-Waboso; 10. G Ford, 9. A Mitchell; 1. F Baxter, 2. J George, 3. J Heyes, 4. M Itoje (c), 5. O Chessum, 6. G Pepper, 7. S Underhill, 8. B Earl
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Stuart, Coles, T Curry, Pollock, Spencer, F Smith
How to watch England v Australia
England v Australia will be live on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and discovery+ from 2pm.
TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.
You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
To find out where your local establishments showing TNT Sports are, use our Pub Finder.
For the latest information on which rugby matches are on TNT Sports, click here.
Here is the TNT Sports schedule and TV guide.
Related Topics
Thoughts?
Advertisement
Advertisement