NORTHAMPTON BACK ROW Teimana Harrison has been named in England’s XV for the final Test against Australia on Saturday in Sydney [KO 11am Irish time, Sky Sports 1].
Eddie Jones’ men have already clinched the series with wins in the first two Tests but the head coach has made just a single change to his team – once-capped Harrison coming in for the injured James Haskell.
Harrison will win his second cap for England. Source: PA Wire/Press Association Images
The likes of Alex Goode and Ben Te’o miss out on the opportunity to play on this tour as Jones ruthlessly goes after a series whitewash.
“You have to work extremely hard to earn an England cap so there was no temptation to make changes for the sake of change,” said Jones. “To play for England you have to be in the best 23 and that’s what this selection represents.
“We’ve treated this week like a dress rehearsal for the World Cup because that what we’re always building towards. 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.”
Meanwhile, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has responded to the disappointment of losing the series in Melbourne last weekend by making three changes to his XV.
Matt Toomua comes into the side in the 12 shirt, replacing Samu Kerevi and moving Australia back towards the model of two midfield playmakers that served them so well during last year’s World Cup.
Toomua [right] will line up outside Bernard Foley. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
Rob Simmons and the giant Will Skelton replace Rory Arnold and Sam Carter in the second row for the Wallabies, while the uncapped Western Force lock Adam Coleman is among nine replacements named by Cheika, with one to be left out on matchday.
Taqele Naiyaravoro, who recently left Glasgow Warriors, is also part of the group of replacements.