ENGLAND COACH EDDIE Jones named Courtney Lawes captain on Thursday ahead of Owen Farrell for the first Test against Australia, as veteran scrum-half Danny Care got his first start since 2018.
Great striker Billy Vunipola will also start in Perth on Saturday after being recalled for the first time since March last year.
Veteran full-back Farrell had been Eddie Jones’ go-to man as skipper since 2018 but ankle injuries forced him to miss all of Six Nations this year with Lawes taking the armband.
Jones opted to stay with the experienced flanker for the opening Test of the three-game series, although Farrell will return to earn his 95th cap, having last played in the 32-15 win over the Wallabies in November 2021.
He will start at inside center with Joe Marchant at outside center. Joe Cokanasiga and Jack Nowell are on the wings and Freddie Steward on the back.
Care was favored over Harry Randall at scrum-half, nearly four years after earning the last of his 84 caps, paired with playmaker Marcus Smith in the No.10 shirt.
Jonny May, second behind Rory Underwood in the list of England’s all-time top try scorers, was not in Matchday 23 after contracting Covid when he arrived in Perth last week.
In another blow for the team, Bath lock Charlie Ewels suffered a knee injury in training on Wednesday and was ruled out of the tour.
Bristol Bears striker Sam Jeffries will fly to Australia to replace Ewels in the squad.
Hooker Jamie George joins props Ellis Genge and Will Stuart up front with Maro Itoje and Jonny Hill at second.
Tom Curry is openside flanker and Australian-born Vunipola is making his first appearance for England since the Six Nations last year at No.8.
“We had a very good preparation for this game. We did a good job of recovery in Fremantle and quality training in Perth,” Jones said.
“The team has formed well since we met last week.
“Choosing the 23 out of this group of 36 was difficult. We feel we have a well-balanced squad that is ready for this growing Australian side. We will bring it to them from the start.
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England have won all eight of their Tests against the Wallabies since former Australia manager Jones took charge after the 2015 World Cup, including a whitewashed 3-0 run six years ago.
England: Freddie Stewart; Jack Nowell, Joe Marchant, Owen Farrell, Joe Cokanasiga; Marcus Smith, DannyCare; Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Will Stuart; Maro Itoje, Jonny Hill; Courtney Lawes (captain), Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Mako Vunipola, Joe Heyes, Ollie Chessum, Lewis Ludlam, Jack van Poortlviet, Guy Porter, Henry Arundell
– ©AFP 2022
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