England vs Australia | Top 3 head-to-heads

England host Australia in round 4 of the Nations Championship. Steve Borthwick has dropped Ellis Genge and benched Henry Pollock. Ben Curry starts for the first time in over a year, replacing his injured twin Tom. 

Australia bring a settled spine and a new-look back row. Fraser McReight wins his 50th cap, Jeremy Williams starts at blindside, and Harry Wilson captains from No. 8. Len Ikitau returns after missing the last Test under HIA protocols, and Taniela Tupou is back on the bench. The Wallabies’ form is mixed. They beat South Africa 42-38 in Perth but lost both Bledisloe Tests to New Zealand. Coach Les Kiss called Twickenham a massive challenge and a chance to keep building.

Head-to-heads

Fin Baxter (England 1) v Allan Alaalatoa (Australia 3)
England’s loosehead packs against Australia’s tighthead, so this decides who controls the scrum. Baxter has 18 caps. Alaalatoa has 96 Tests and is the most-capped player in the Wallabies side. If Baxter holds firm, England get a platform to attack from.

Ben Earl (England 8) v Harry Wilson (Australia 8)
Two No. 8s who are both leaders. Earl has 54 caps, and Wilson has 45 Tests and the Wallabies captaincy. Whoever wins the collisions around the base of the scrum will help set the gain line for his side.

Seb Atkinson (England 12) v Len Ikitau (Australia 12)
This is a contrast in experience. Atkinson has 7 caps, while Ikitau has 56 Tests. England’s young inside centre will look to move the ball wide, while Ikitau will try to shut down space in the Wallabies midfield.

Greg Fisilau set for debut

Exeter back-rower Greg Fisilau is named among the replacements with England opting for a 6-2 bench split, which puts him in line for a first cap. He is 23 and has come through England’s age-group and A teams. He was first called into senior training in 2024 and was named among three uncapped players in the Six Nations squad in January. He narrowly missed a first cap in the summer after a knee injury.