England welcome back Itoje and Fin Smith for Wallabies showdown at Twickenham

By SABC Sport
7th November 2026

England have been boosted by the return to fitness of fly-half Fin Smith, who has been named in Steve Borthwick's starting XV for Sunday's Nations Championship clash with Australia.

The Northampton Saints playmaker had been a doubt with a calf injury but has passed the necessary fitness tests.

Borthwick has made just one change to the backline that started against Argentina in July, with George Furbank returning at full-back for his first Test appearance since November 2024. Tommy Freeman and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso complete the back three, while Henry Slade and Seb Atkinson retain their centre partnership.

There are three notable changes in the pack, with captain Maro Itoje, Ben Curry and Fin Baxter all returning to the starting line-up. Itoje partners Alex Coles in the second row, while Curry joins Ben Earl and Ollie Chessum in the back row.

Borthwick has gone with a 6-2 split among the replacements, with six forwards and two backs.

"We're excited to be playing in front of our home supporters and to start an important block of games. This will also be our last opportunity to face southern hemisphere opposition at home before the World Cup next year."

Meanwhile, Wallabies flanker Fraser McReight will earn his 50th Test cap as coach Les Kiss named his team.

McReight will feature in a new-look back row alongside Jeremy Williams at blindside flanker, with captain Harry Wilson retaining his place at number eight.

Len Ikitau returns to the midfield after missing Australia's previous Test due to HIA protocols, renewing his partnership with Isaac Henry. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii also returns to Twickenham, where he made his Test debut in 2024, and starts on the right wing alongside Max Jorgensen, with Tom Wright retaining the full-back position for his 10th consecutive Test.

Brumbies teammates Ryan Lonergan and Declan Meredith start at half-back, while Josh Canham and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto form the second-row partnership. Angus Bell returns at loosehead prop, joining Billy Pollard and Allan Alaalatoa in the front row.

Wallabies head coach Les Kiss said: "The entire squad has travelled well and prepared with fantastic energy and excitement heading into this weekend.

"Playing England on their home turf - at an iconic venue like Twickenham - is a massive challenge and another great opportunity for us to test ourselves against world-class opposition and keep building our game."

England - 15 George Furbank, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Ben Curry, 6 Ollie Chessum, 5 Alex Coles, 4 Maro Itoje (c), 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Jamie George, 1 Fin Baxter

Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 George Martin, 20 Greg Fisilau, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Marcus Smith

Australia - 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Isaac Henry, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Jeremy Williams, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 Angus Bell

Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rob Valetini, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Filipo Daugunu