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Bristol Post

Sport

John Evely

Harry Randall's frustrating summer continues as Bristol Bears star misses out for England again

Harry Randall Bristol Bears Bears England Eddie Jones Leicester Tigers Ollie Chessum Sam Jeffries Courtney Lawes Danny Care

Bristol Bears stars Harry Randall and Sam Jeffries will not play a minute of competitive international rugby this summer despite having flown to the other side of the world on tour with England.

Eddie Jones has named his England side for this weekend’s series decider against Australia and scrum half Randall and flanker Jeffries have both missed out once again for the series decider at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday 16 July [11am BST KO], with the series on a knife edge at 1-1 following a 25-17 win for the tourists last weekend.

Randall went into the tour expecting to be England's first choice scrum half having battled with Leicester's Ben Youngs for the number nine jersey during the Six Nations, however, for the third straight weekend Jones has opted for a combination of Danny Care and Jack van Poortvliet. There is no suggestion Randall is injured.

Uncapped Jeffries was flown out in the first week of the tour as an injury replacement for Bath skipper Charlie Ewels but Jones has opted to hand Leicester Tigers' Ollie Chessum a place in second row in the place of the injured Maro Itoje. It will be Premiership winner Chessum's his first start for England.

Northampton captain Lewis Ludlam replaces the concussed Sam Underhill at openside flanker.

In an unchanged front row hooker Jamie George is joined by props Ellis Genge and Will Stuart.

Captain Courtney Lawes is blind-side flanker, Jonny Hill stays at lock and Billy Vunipola is No. 8.

Danny Care comes in at scrum half in the only backs change. Marcus Smith is at fly half, Owen Farrell is inside centre and Guy Porter is outside centre.

Tommy Freeman stays on the left wing, Jack Nowell is on the right wing and Freddie Steward is full back.

Nick Isiekwe could make his first appearance in the series after being named as finisher. He is joined by Luke Cowan-Dickie, Mako Vunipola, Joe Heyes, Jack Willis, van Poortvliet, Will Joseph and Henry Arundell.

Jones said: “We’ve had a squad of 36 this tour who have competed hard and we’re really proud of their efforts.

“We go into this Test with a strong squad of 23. It’s a young, inexperienced but together group who have developed well throughout this series.

“We want to play with purpose and energy to win the series and an historic Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.”

Australia v England is live on Sky Sports Main Event and BBC Radio 5 Live.

England

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 12 caps)
14. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 41 caps)
13. Guy Porter (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 96 caps)
11. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 12 caps)
9. Danny Care (Harlequins, 86 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 38 caps)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 68 caps)
3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 22 caps)
4. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 4 caps)
5. Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks, 14 caps)
6. Courtney Lawes (C) (Northampton Saints, 95 caps)
7. Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 13 caps)
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 63 caps)

Replacements:

16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 36 caps)

17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 69 caps)
18. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 4 caps)
19. Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 7 caps)
20. Jack Willis (Wasps, 3 caps)
21. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)
22. Will Joseph (London Irish, 1 cap) *apprentice player
23. Henry Arundell (London Irish, 2 caps) *apprentice player