England and Australia go head-to-head later today with the series on the line in Brisbane.
Eddie Jones’ side did what they had to last week to level it up, after a disappointing opener in Perth, and victory in the decider would go some way to lifting the mood after a poor 2022 up to this point. Owen Farrell’s kicking was largely responsible for England’s victory in Brisbane, which ended a four-match losing streak.
After a poor Six Nations campaign was followed by a hammering at the hands of the Barbarians in the build-up to this tour to Australia, a series defeat against his home country would pile more pressure on Jones ahead of next year’s World Cup.
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Australia vs England date, kick-off time and venue
The third Test between Australia and England takes place on Saturday July 16, 2022 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The match is slated for a 10:55am BST kick-off later today.
How to watch Australia vs England
TV channel: In the UK, Australia vs England will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action, with coverage beginning at 10:15am.
Live stream: Subscribers can also watch the action unfold live online using the Sky Go app.
Live coverage: You can follow the game on Saturday morning with Standard Sport’s LIVE match blog.
Australia vs England team news
Jones has recalled the experience of Danny Care as one of three changes to his starting XV for Saturday’s series decider.
The win in Brisbane came at a cost for England. After they lost Tom Curry to concussion in Perth, Maro Itoje and Sam Underhill also suffered tour-ending brain injuries, stretching resources up front. Northampton captain Lewis Ludlam, who has been impressive off the bench in both the first two Tests, becomes the third man to wear the No7 jersey for England in this series.
With Charlie Ewels and Joe Launchbury injured, Itoje’s absence is more difficult to cover, but Leicester’s Ollie Chessum comes into the second row for his first Test start, alongside Jonny Hill.
Nick Isiekwe and Jack Willis are poised to make their first appearances of the tour from the bench. Wasps flanker Willis was named on the bench last week but withdrew with an injury suffered in training. Last week, Jones overhauled his backline, but he has limited himself to one tactical change this week. Jack van Poortvliet, who made his first start and won man of the match, drops to the bench, with veteran Care starting.
At 21, van Poortvliet is the oldest back on England’s bench, as he lines up alongside the London Irish 19-year-olds Will Joseph and Henry Arundell, who have both made their debuts on this tour.
Australia have also been forced to shuffle their hand. Coach Dave Rennie has made four changes to his starting XV, and more on his bench.
Reece Hodge comes in at full-back after Australia lost three No15s to injury, while Nick Frost and Harry Wilson come into the pack. The veteran James Slipper starts on the loosehead.
James O’Connor is dropped from the bench, but Suliasi Vunivalu – a former NRL star – could make his debut in the backs.
“We have been lacking that [intensity] with the Wallabies for our first 20 minutes, so if we can bring that up and shut the Pommies up, we’ll do a good job,” Vunivalu said.
Australia vs England lineups
Australia: Hodge, Wright, Paisami, Kerevi, Koroibete, Lolesio, White, Valetini, Hooper (capt), Wilson, Philip, Frost, Tupou, Porecki, Slipper.
Replacements: Fainga’a, Bell, Ala’alatoa, Leota, Samu, McDermott, Ikitau, Vunivalu.
England: Steward, Nowell, Porter, Farrell, Freeman, Smith, Care, B Vunipola, Ludlam, Lawes (capt), Hill, Chessum, Stuart, George, Genge.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, M Vunipola, Heyes, Isiekwe, Willis, Van Poortvliet, Joseph, Arundell.
Australia vs England prediction
England made a ferocious start in the second Test and although they got the job done in the end, they allowed Australia back in the match and were nearly punished for doing so.
That was not dissimilar to the opening match of the series, where England again were in a position of strength but that time they did fully let it slip and fell away in the later stages. Jones’ side have not been able to finish off matches when on top.
Another intense first 20 minutes or so in Sydney can be expected from England, though Australia have made it clear they will be ready to match that this time.
Both sides have injuries to contend with, with England in particular looking short up front. That could well prove to be the difference. Ill-discipline is likely to play a defining role and it would be no surprise if the expected aggression and intensity crossed the line.
Australia to win a tight match and take the series.
Australia vs England head to head (h2h) history and results
Australia came into the series on the back of an eight-match losing streak against Jones’ England side, though ended that run with victory in the first Test.
The overall record now stands level at 27 wins apiece for England from 53 matches, with one solitary draw.
Australia vs England betting odds
Australia to win: 8/13
England to win: 7/5
Draw: 17/1
