Surprise wing spot for Manu Tuilagi as Marcus Smith starts at outhalf

over 2 years in The Irish Times

Marcus Smith has been named to start at outhalf for England against Australia on Saturday with Manu Tuilagi making a shock move to the right wing to accommodate him. Owen Farrell returns to captain the side at inside-centre with Tuilagi shifting to the wing in place of Adam Radwan.
Smith’s promotion to the starting lineup comes after an impressive cameo against Tonga last time out with the 22-year-old outhalf set for his third Test start. Eddie Jones finally gets to see Smith line up next to Farrell, who missed last weekend’s 69-3 win having been forced into isolation and was away with the Lions over the summer.
Jones’s decision to move Tuilagi to wing is a surprise, however. The 30-year-old impressed in a centre partnership with Henry Slade, who remains in the No13 jersey, but the return of Farrell and Smith’s inclusion has seen Jones reposition him. Tuilagi has won just one of his 44 England caps on the wing before during a 28-27 defeat by New Zealand in 2014 under Stuart Lancaster.
Smith’s introduction to squad means George Furbank drops out of the squad all together with Jones opting for a 6-2 split on the bench, naming Sam Simmonds among his replacements. Simmonds has not played for England since 2018 but is in line for his ninth Test cap, having appeared for the Lions against South Africa. The Sale pair of Raffi Quirke and Bevan Rodd are also among the replacements and set to make their debuts.
Elsewhere, Jones has largely stuck by the side who beat Tonga with Ellis Genge, Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler making up the frontrow, Maro Itoje and Jonny Hill continuing at lock and Courtney Lawes, Sam Underhill and Tom Curry once more named as the backrowers. Ben Youngs continues at scrumhalf with Jonny May staying on the wing and Freddie Steward again at fullback. Max Malins comes on to the bench to add versatility as one of two back replacements alongside Quirke.
“We know this will be a tough test for us, we’re playing against a team who have been together a while and who have beat the world champions twice,” said Jones. “As an Australian I know how much this game means. We’ve had a really good week of preparation, we’re looking to improve our performance this week and I think this side is building well.” - Guardian

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