England Names Six Lions Including Ford, Pepper For Australia Test

England's rugby team announced its lineup for the opening autumn Test against Australia, with George Ford starting at fly-half over Fin Smith and Marcus Smith omitted entirely from the squad. Coach Steve Borthwick has opted for a Northampton-heavy backline, featuring Alex Mitchell at scrumhalf, Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman at centres, with Freeman shifting from wing, where he played for the British and Irish Lions, to outside centre. Wingers Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Tom Roebuck, along with Freddie Steward at fullback, complete the backline, as Borthwick favors players based on recent form and summer performances. Notably, 19-year-old Saracens winger Noah Caluori was not selected despite a strong club showing. In the forward pack, Bath flankers Guy Pepper and Sam Underhill start alongside Saracens' Ben Earl at number eight, while Sale hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie is set to earn his 50th cap from the bench, with Tom Curry also among the replacements despite an absence this season due to injury. Borthwick emphasized the challenge posed by Australia's longer preparation period, with England aiming to secure victories that will bolster their world ranking ahead of the 2027 World Cup.