Australia name Edmed at fly-half to face England

After last weekend’s win over Japan, Tane Edmed, Max Jorgensen, and Taniela Tupou, all of whom have been called back, will start for Australia at fly-half when they take on England at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

The Wallabies are still without several European-based players, including lock Will Skelton, center Len Ikitau, and fly-half James O’Connor because the game is approaching the end of the official international window.

Edmed will face a difficult test on Saturday against England’s highly skilled George Ford, who has only started three Tests for the fledgling Wallabies.

The 25-year-old’s rival flyhalf Carter Gordon is reportedly struggling with a quad strain and is not participating in the matchday 23 despite having a release from his NRL contract to resume his rugby union career.

On the bench, Hamish Stewart will provide fly-half cover.

Suaalii, a former rugby league star, made his spectacular Test debut with a score of 42-37 in the final seconds of Jorgensen’s winning try at Twickenham last year.

Hunter Paisami will continue his center partnership with Suaalii in place of Ikitau, who has been in excellent form for Prem side Exeter.

Tupou, the 23-stone tight-head prop known as the “Togan Thor,” last appeared for the Wallabies before New Zealand beat them in September.

Rob Valetini and Fraser McReight complete a strong back row, while regular captain Harry Wilson switches to the number eight. The skipper of last week’s meeting, Nick Champion de Crespigny, is one of the replacements.

Australia defeated Japan 19-15 in Tokyo on Saturday, finishing third overall in the rugby championship, and then flew to England.

This autumn, the Wallabies, who are seventh in the world, will also face Italy, Ireland, and France.

Head coach Joe Schmidt remarked, “The coaches have tried to balance this year’s challenging schedule with the demands of this year’s tough schedule in terms of Test matches and travel.”

“We hope the group will be really competitive on Saturday because it was great to get a few players up last weekend.

Kellaway, Jorgensen, Suaalii, Paisami, Potter, Edmed, Gordon, Bell, Pollard, Tupuo, Frost, Williams, Valentini, McReight, McReight, and Wilson (capt.) start XV.