England coach Eddie Jones has unveiled an unexpected backline to face Australia in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, shifting Owen Farrell to first-five and demoting George Ford.
Jones was expected to name the same XV that beat Argentina in their final pool match two weeks ago, but has instead surprised by making made three personnel changes and a positional switch.
After going with the Ford-Farrell double pivot set-up for most of this year, including two of their three pool games in Japan, Jones has had a change of heart.
Ford drops to the bench, with Farrell and powerhouse midfield back Manu Tuilagi both moving in a spot, making way for creative centre Henry Slade to be introduced.
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Two changes to the starting tight five see Jones turning to a pair of players attending their third Word Cup.
Courtney Lawes starts ahead of George Kruis at lock, while Mako Vunipola will make his first start of the tournament at tighthead prop.
Vunipola came off the bench against Argentina two weeks ago in a rare appearance, since injuring his hamstring in early May.
He was expected to be named among the reserves again, but will instead start in a pack that also features brother Billy Vunipola, also shaking off an ankle injury suffered against the Pumas to retain his No.8 jersey.
The brothers are among six key starting figures from England's powerhouse Saracens club.
Lock Maro Itoje and hooker Jamie George are in the pack, while Farrell and fullback Elliot Daly are the most influential members of the backline.
Farrell's playmaking ability will be put fully to the test, after playing more of a hybrid role at inside centre, when Ford has started.
Jones may have wanted to try out the backline combination in last Saturday's
scheduled final pool game against France, but didn't get the chance, after the game was cancelled, because of the safety fears created by Typhoon Hagibis.
Another change to the bench features the introduction of Jonathan Joseph as outside back cover, after Jack Nowell succumbed to a hamstring injury.
Join us at 8:15pm Saturday for live updates of the England v Australia Rugby World Cup quarter-final.
AAP
