Parling included for Wallabies clash

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs lock Geoff Parling keeps his place in an England side that shows three changes to it’s staring XV for Saturday’s crunch Rugby World Cup Pool A encounter with Australia at Twickenham (8pm).

Parling will pack down in the England engine room alongside Joe Launchbury, who comes in for the injured Courtney Lawes; whilst other changes see Ben Morgan (Gloucester) replaces Billy Vunipola at No 8 and Jonathan Joseph takes over from Brad Barritt, who moves back to inside centre for Sam Burgess.

On the bench Nick Easter - called up earlier this week to replace the stricken Vunipola in the squad - is included on the bench, as is lock George Kruis who will get his first taste of RWC match-days.

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said: “JJ and Ben Youngs are both fit and raring to go, as are the rest of the squad for what will be a huge game against a very good team. England-Australia matches at Twickenham are always massive occasions, this one more than ever, and we want everyone behind us so we can get the result we all want.”

England Squad to face Australia at Twickenham

15 Mike Brown (Harlequins, 41 caps)

14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)

13 Jonathan Joseph  (Bath Rugby, 14 caps)

12 Brad Barritt (Saracens, 25 caps)

11 Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 18 caps)

10 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 33 caps)

9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 51 caps)

1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 35 caps)

2 Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 26 caps)

3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 54 caps)

4 Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 26 caps)

5  Geoff Parling (Exeter Chiefs, 27 caps)

6 Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 40 caps)

7 Chris Robshaw (capt, Harlequins, 41 caps)

8 Ben  Morgan (Gloucester Rugby, 30 caps)

Replacements

16 Rob Webber (Bath Rugby, 15 caps)

17 Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 25 caps)

18 Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints, 14 caps)

19 George Kruis (Saracens, 8 caps)

20 Nick Easter (Harlequins, 52 caps)

21 Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens, 25 caps)

22 George Ford (Bath Rugby, 15 caps)

23 Sam Burgess (Bath Rugby, 4 caps)