In his XV call-up to face Australia at Twickenham on Saturday, England coach Eddie Jones made a small surprise by keeping center Manu Tuilagi in an unusual winger position. During Stuart Lancaster’s tour of New Zealand in 2014, Tuilegs had only one choice for the position, and that experience was never repeated.

Jones’ desire to bring down Marcus Smith as the opener seems to be behind the move, with captain Owen Farrell returning to the middle of the three-quarter line. Against Tonga (69-3) last weekend, Smith was expected to play 10 and Farrell 12, but Smith was considered too small physically, while Farrell fell victim to a Kovid antigen test positive and was later denied a PCR.

This is Farrell’s 100th international appearance in six matches against the British and Irish Lions. The 22-year-old Smith, author of an off-bench Test against Tonga, will only make his third start after the Tests against the United States and Canada in July.

Jones, on the other hand, has not changed anything in his pack, and he hopes to record his eighth consecutive win against his home country, which continues with a slight defeat against Scotland (15-13), ending a five-hit series. last week.

Starting XV: Steward – Tuilagi, Slade, Farrell (hat), May – (o) m. Smith, (M) b. Youngs – Curry, Underhill, Los – Jr .; Hill, Itoje – Sinclair, George, Genge.