Eddie Jones turns to England’s big hitters to give Australia nightmares | Robert Kitson

The coach has named a strong, pacy side to take on his native country but can he get Owen Farrell and Marcus Smith to gel?

If there is one nation Eddie Jones hugely enjoys pitting his wits against it is his native Australia. There are good reasons why England have beaten the Wallabies seven times in succession since 2016 and high on the list is Jones’s instinctive grasp, both psychologically and selectorially, of which specific buttons to push.

Not only does he understand exactly how the Aussies feel when they catch a glimpse of a white shirt but he also knows what they hate most about playing the Poms. Hence the announcement of an England side with Marcus Smith at No 10, Manu Tuilagi on the right wing and six forwards on a proactive bench. Collectively it has the potential to be a complete nightmare on Ramsay Street for a Wallabies side lacking some of their key tight forwards through injury.