England have promised a gladiatorial contest in Saturday’s second Test against Australia after admitting they underestimated the Wallabies’ forward strength last week, with Ellis Genge’s head-to-head showdown with Taniela Tupou set to take centre stage.
The 21-stone Tupou – nicknamed the Tongan Thor – has been recalled to the Australia lineup after recovering from a calf injury and earlier in the week took aim at Genge, pledging to “smash” England’s loosehead. Genge has responded by telling Tupou to “get in line” while the England forwards coach, Richard Cockerill, has challenged the Wallabies tighthead to back up his words, all the more so because he has been out of action since April.
