LONDON – Scrumhalf Danny Care has paid the price for England’s poor first half against Japan after he was dropped from a 28-man squad named by coach Eddie Jones for the final November Test against Australia.
Ben Youngs is the probable starting scrumhalf, with Richard Wigglesworth providing back-up.
Care, who scored England’s opening try in his first start since March, was replaced by Wigglesworth an hour into Saturday’s contest.
Northampton’s flyhalf-centre Pier Francis has been included in the squad announced on Monday, but there was no place for centre Alex Lozowski, who had made way for Owen Farrell at halftime after a torrid 40 minutes against Japan.
Loose forward Zach Mercer is another to be culled and is replaced in the squad by No 8 Nathan Hughes, available after serving a six-week suspension.
Manu Tuilagi is again included but, with Jones saying over the weekend that he still has work to do to get back to full fitness after a groin injury, he could well miss out again when the team is named on Thursday.
Jones will be looking for an immediate improvement from Saturday, when a team featuring 11 changes from that beaten narrowly by New Zealand found themselves 15-10 down at halftime, before battling back to win 35-15.
“The schedule itself was good, the cohesion was less than we’d like,” Jones told Sky Sports News on Monday in relation to the short turnaround he put in place to replicate next year’s World Cup programme.
“It was always going to be difficult, and we’ve some ideas on that.”
In the continuing absence of Billy Vunipola, Jones could be tempted to throw Hughes straight in against Australia, despite his lack of game time.
“He did a session on Friday and another yesterday, and is not in bad nick,” Jones said. “We’ll see how he is this week – he’s in contention.”
Wing Chris Ashton is being monitored after a calf strain forced him off early against Japan.
One man certain to start is Farrell, who made an immediate impact when he came on against Japan.
“He’s really grown as a leader, really stepped forward; and with Dylan (Hartley), it’s a really strong pair,” Jones said of his co-captains, neither of whom started against Japan.
There were a few special mentions at yesterday's post-match players' dinner...
1st caps: Joe Cokanasiga and Ted Hill
50th cap: @George_Fordy #WearTheRose🌹 pic.twitter.com/FNyBj9xGnF
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 18, 2018
“The official title has probably encouraged him to be more active in that area, and that has helped the team.”
England will be chasing a sixth successive victory over the Wallabies, who ended their own poor run with a solid but unspectacular 26-7 win in Italy.
“He’s my old mate, he’s always at his best when they’re under pressure,” Jones said of Australia coach Michael Cheika.
“He loves that, he’s a street fighter, so it does make them dangerous.
“But at the same time, we’ve had a tough year, too, and we don’t mind a scrap either, so it should be a good scrap.”
Turned 21 on Thursday...
Scored on his England debut on Saturday 🙌
It's been a week to remember for Joe Cokanasiga 👊 #CarryThemHome🌹 pic.twitter.com/3pU3y31pA0
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 18, 2018
England Squad
Forwards: Charlie Ewels, Jamie George, Dylan Hartley, Alec Hepburn, Ted Hill, Nathan Hughes, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Ben Moon, Brad Shields, Kyle Sinckler, Elliott Stooke, Sam Underhill, Harry Williams, Mark Wilson.
Backs: Chris Ashton, Joe Cokanasiga, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Piers Francis, Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Ben Te’o, Manu Tuilagi, Richard Wigglesworth, Ben Youngs.