George Ford Secures England Fly-Half Role for Autumn Rugby Clash with Australia

England's rugby team is set to start George Ford at fly-half in their upcoming autumn international against Australia, with Fin Smith relegated to the bench and Marcus Smith omitted entirely, reflecting coach Steve Borthwick's tactical preferences. Ford's experience and tactical acumen, highlighted by his performance during the summer tour and 102 England caps, make him a favored choice potentially leading into the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Meanwhile, the team is considering a backline that includes both Ford and Fin Smith, with Smith likely to play inside centre to incorporate two playmakers reminiscent of the Ford-Owen Farrell partnership from 2019. The Northampton backline features emerging talents such as Alex Mitchell at scrumhalf and Tommy Freeman at centre, alongside seasoned players like Freddie Steward at fullback. The forward pack includes Bath's flankers Guy Pepper and Sam Underhill, with key substitutes such as Luke Cowan-Dickie and Tom Curry, the latter returning post-surgery. England aims to build on a strong winning streak as they also prepare to face Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina in their autumn series.