England team to play Australia: Borthwick names XV early again

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After a tight encounter with New Zealand, Borthwick’s men are out to settle the score against Australia on Saturday, November 9.

The last time these two met in England was back in 2021, with a decisive 32-15 English victory. This time, they'll be battling it out on Aussie turf, aiming to keep their edge in this classic rivalry.

Scroll down to see the England team to play Australia.

Jamie George will captain England, supported by vice-captains Maro Itoje, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, and George Ford.

In the front row, George starts at hooker, with Genge at loosehead prop and Will Stuart at tighthead. Itoje pairs with George Martin in the second row, while the back row features Chandler Cunningham-South on the blindside flank, Tom Curry at openside, and Earl at No. 8.

Ben Spencer starts at scrum-half, with Marcus Smith at fly-half. In the midfield, the centre partnership has been switched for this weekend's match, with Henry Slade starting at inside centre and Ollie Lawrence at 13.

The back three features Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the right wing, Tommy Freeman on the left, and George Furbank at full-back, completing the starting lineup.

There are two changes to the replacements’ bench from last Saturday’s game against New Zealand, with Luke Cowan-Dickie and Ollie Sleightholme set to make their first appearances of the Autumn Nations Series. They join Fin Baxter, Dan Cole, Nick Isiekwe, Alex Dombrandt, Harry Randall and George Ford among the replacements.

“Facing Australia is always a massive challenge, and we’ll work diligently this week to ensure we’re physically and tactically prepared to take on the Wallabies,” said Borthwick.

“The passion and energy from the crowd at Allianz Stadium last weekend was absolutely brilliant, from the opening whistle to the final moments, and we can't wait to be back at home this Saturday."

2022: Australia 17-21 England

2022: Australia 30-28 England

2019: England 40-16 Australia

15. George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 12 caps)

14. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 7 caps)

13. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 28 caps)

12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 66 caps)

11. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 12 caps)

10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 36 caps)

9. Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 7 caps)

1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 63 caps) – vice-captain

2. Jamie George (Saracens, 94 caps) – captain

3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 42 caps)

4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 85 caps) – vice-captain

5. George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 16 caps)

6. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 8 caps)

7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 54 caps)

8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 34 caps) – vice-captain

16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 41 caps)

17. Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 3 caps)

18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 116 caps)

19. Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 12 caps)

20. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 18 caps)

21. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 8 caps)

22. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 97 caps) – vice captain

23. Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)

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From high-profile marriages to lucrative endorsements and television appearances, these rugby stars have built financial empires.

Here’s a look at three couples who have combined their sporting legacies with fame and fortune, amassing millions along the way.

Mike Tindall is known not just for his rugby prowess but for his royal connections. As the husband of Zara Phillips, the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, Tindall has become a prominent figure in British media.

Nicknamed “The Fridge” due to his imposing physique, Tindall was a stalwart on the rugby field, famously breaking his nose at least eight times over the course of his career. Since retiring from the sport, he’s made a name for himself in the entertainment world, appearing on popular reality shows such as I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, Bear Grylls: Mission Survive, The Jump, Shark Cage, Celebrity Poker Club, and All-Star Poker Challenge

Despite his success in sports and entertainment, Tindall’s wealth has been largely bolstered by his royal ties, with his net worth estimated at £20 million, according to British media.

Jonny Wilkinson is a legendary figure in English rugby, with a career spanning 12 seasons at Newcastle Falcons before his move to French club Toulon in 2009. Wilkinson cemented his place in history by leading England to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup, becoming a national hero in the process.

In his personal life, Wilkinson has kept a lower profile. He married his long-time girlfriend, Shelley Jenkins, in a private ceremony on the French Riviera in October 2013. The couple now has a son, reportedly named James, and maintain a relatively private family life. Wilkinson's net worth stands at £22 million, making him one of rugby's wealthiest figures.

Sonny Bill Williams is a sporting icon from New Zealand, famed not only for his rugby achievements but also for his ventures into boxing. Known for his versatility, Williams has excelled in both rugby union and rugby league, playing as a centre and second-rower, respectively. Additionally, his brief yet successful stint in professional boxing saw him win nine out of 10 heavyweight bouts.

In 2013, Williams married Alana Raffie after a whirlwind four-week romance, following Islamic traditions despite admitting that they were not in love at the time. Their union has since become one of the most talked-about in sports. With a combination of earnings from rugby, boxing, and endorsements, the couple's net worth is reported to be around £20 million.