England vs Australia preview

England’s 2024 Autumn Nations campaign continues at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham as they turn their attention to welcoming Australia this coming Saturday.

Australia are back on English soil for the first time since 2021, when England beat them in that Autumn Nations Series.

Our blog previews the upcoming game between England and Australia.

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Previous encounters

England have emerged victorious in 10 of their last 11 Test matches against Australia, with their only loss during this stretch being a narrow 30-28 defeat in 2022. This dominant head-to-head record suggests that England have the upper hand, especially as Australia enter this clash on a three-game losing streak—the longest that Joe Schmidt has faced as head coach of an international team.

It’s no surprise, then, that Steve Borthwick’s England side are strong favourites at 1/6 to win their second Autumn Nations game, while Australia trail with odds of 4/1.

No preview of an England-Australia matchup would be complete without a nod to the unforgettable 2003 Rugby World Cup final in Australia. That match famously ended with Jonny Wilkinson’s iconic drop-goal, clinching England’s first Men’s Rugby World Cup title. With George Ford’s recent close call against New Zealand, fans will be hoping for more high-stakes drama on Saturday.

Match preview

After a solid performance against the All Blacks last week, Steve Borthwick has decided to keep the starting XV unchanged for England’s next Autumn Nations game. Notably, Luke Cowan-Dickie has been named on the bench as the replacement hooker.

While the lineup remains the same, there’s a significant adjustment in midfield: Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence have switched positions, with Slade moving to inside centre and Lawrence taking over the number 13 jersey. This shift places the Exeter Chiefs player in the number 12 role, while Bath’s Lawrence, who regularly plays at outside centre for his club, will now have more freedom to attack the outside channel. Lawrence’s impressive recent form—scoring three tries in his last five league appearances—makes this move an intriguing one, with the potential to bring a fresh dynamic to England’s attacking strategy.

In reviewing the England squad, it’s worth spotlighting the impressive physicality and performances of Harlequins players Chandler Cunningham-South and Fin Baxter. Though early in their England careers, both players have shown remarkable promise and could very well represent the future of English rugby. Cunningham-South, in particular, has been a dominant force in the back row, and if he continues on this path, he could become one of the greats in the sport.

Full-back George Furbank, who is set to play once again against Australia, has been outstanding for his club, Northampton Saints. However, he has yet to fully reach that same level with the national team. It’s clear that head coach Steve Borthwick sees untapped potential in him, and if Furbank can bring his aggressive, dynamic running style to the international stage, he’s definitely one to watch, with much more to offer.

An often overlooked attacking strategy is the driving maul, and it could be just the tool England needs to break through an Australian defence that hasn’t been particularly strong of late. While picking a hooker as the first try-scorer might seem unconventional, captain Jamie George could offer solid value as a first or anytime try-scorer this Saturday.

England look set for another strong performance, and if they can maintain fluidity and build consistent attacking pressure, players like Marcus Smith and Feyi-Waboso will be ready to capitalise on opportunities. The midfield switch, moving Slade and Lawrence, should add a burst of dynamism and pace to England’s game, giving them ample firepower to test the Australian defence. Betting on England to cover a -13 handicap by full-time could prove rewarding at 10/11 odds if Steve Borthwick’s squad hits their stride.

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