After securing their first ever series win on Australian soil, England have made one change to the side that started the second test against Australia in Melbourne last weekend. Teimana Harrison has been handed his second cap in place of the injured James Haskell at openside flanker for what promises to be anything but a ‘dead rubber’ at Allianz Stadium in Sydney this coming Saturday.
Teimana Harrison Added for Series Finale
Harrison has been chosen ahead of Jack Clifford to begin the keenly awaited encounter, principally for his robustness in defence but Eddie Jones has insisted that Clifford is “unlucky to miss out” and that he will finish the game for the men in white.
It has undoubtedly been a hugely successful tour for Haskell; many were sceptical about whether he still had the ability, along with Chris Robshaw, to make an impact against arguably the best back row currently in world rugby.
Yet Harrison has had an unbelievable Premiership season. He was named Aviva Premiership Player of the Month in May and was included in the 2015/16 Premiership Dream Team.
Indeed, Harrison’s versatility across the back row is a useful asset but he may just be the option at openside that England have been looking for and the eligible alternative to Steffon Armitage. For a player who didn’t start for his club this season until December, he is on quite the upward curve.
Elsewhere, the team remains the same with Jack Nowell retaining his place over Marland Yarde. This is despite Nowell undergoing return-to-play assessment protocols for concussion this week. It is an indication of how satisfied Jones was with the performance of his starting XV in Melbourne and that he expects no let-up in focus and intensity.
World Cup
“We’ve treated this week like a dress rehearsal for a World Cup because that’s what we’re always building towards” – Jones told Sky Sports this week.
“To win a World Cup you have to win three big games in a row – we’ve won two so this third game is the most important game we’ll play all year. It will be a good indication of where we are as a team.
“We’re looking forward to playing in front of a full house at Allianz Stadium on Saturday and we are confident we can finish the job off with a win.”
England Team for the Third Test
England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jack Nowell, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Dylan Hartley (c), 3 Dan Cole, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Kruis, 6 Chris Robshaw, 7 Teimana Harrison, 8 Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Courtney Lawes, 21 Jack Clifford, 22 Danny Care, 23 Elliot Daly.
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