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Danny Care returns to England starting line-up for Sydney decider
By PA
Danny Care has been restored to England’s starting line-up at the expense of Jack van Poortvliet for Saturday’s decisive third Test against Australia.
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Care started the series opener in Perth a fortnight ago but swapped roles with van Poortvliet for the 25-17 victory in Brisbane that set up the clash at Sydney Cricket Ground.
Making his full debut at Suncorp Stadium, van Poortvliet was outstanding and his demotion to providing scrum-half cover from the bench is a surprise.
Eddie Jones has made two further changes for England’s final game of the season, both enforced by injuries sustained in the second Test.
Ollie Chessum comes in for Maro Itoje in the second row to make his first Test start and Lewis Ludlam replaces Sam Underhill at openside flanker. Both Itoje and Underhill suffered series-ending concussions in Brisbane.
Jack Willis has recovered from a rib injury to be included amongst the replacements and Nick Isiekwe makes his first appearance of the tour on the bench.
England team to play Australia:
15. Freddie Steward
14. Jack Nowell
13. Guy Porter
12. Owen Farrell
11. Tommy Freeman
10. Marcus Smith
9. Danny Care
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1. Ellis Genge
2. Jamie George
3. Will Stuart
4. Ollie Chessum
5. Jonny Hill
6. Courtney Lawes (C)
7. Lewis Ludlam
8. Billy Vunipola
Finishers
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie
17. Mako Vunipola
18. Joe Heyes
19. Nick Isiekwe
20. Jack Willis
21. Jack van Poortlviet
22. Will Joseph
23. Henry Arundell
There is never any logic to an Eddie selection.
No openside flanker, when we have the best player over the ball in Europe, with Jack Willis. Jack van Poortvliet one a stand out player with sharp passing, superb kicking and dangerous around the ruck.
Both not starting.
Freeman and Porter were both quiet, they get picks, Nowel can't beat a player 1 on 1, he is no longer a winger. Er don't need wingers to be good near the ruck, we need them to use the space we create outside....and Arrundel scores with his first touch and can't get a start.
The utter mystery of an Eddie selection. Based on what you can't do, if your face fits or if the pundits are pushing for you to start.
Rubbish