Morgan and Joseph named in England team to face Australia

Jonathan Joseph and Ben Morgan have been named in England's starting line-up for the pivotal Rugby World Cup Pool A clash against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday evening. The match kicks off at 8pm and is exclusively live on ITV.

Gloucester Rugby's Morgan returns at number eight in one of two changes to the pack, taking the place of Billy Vunipola who has been ruled out of the remainder of the World Cup by a knee injury.

Morgan has recovered from his knee problem but an issue with the same joint has accounted for Courtney Lawes, who misses out with Wasps' Joe Launchbury promoted from the bench to partner Geoff Parling in the second row.

Joe Launchbury Credit: PA

Leicester Tigers' scrum-half Ben Youngs, who excelled against Wales, has overcome his ankle injury and will be involved in a match England must win if they are to save their World Cup from oblivion.

England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster said:

England side to face Australia, Saturday 3 October

  • 15 - Mike Brown (Harlequins)

  • 14 - Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)

  • 13 - Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)

  • 12 - Brad Barritt (Saracens)

  • 11 - Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)

  • 10 - Owen Farrell (Saracens)

  • 9 - Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

  • 1 - Joe Marler (Harlequins)

  • 2 - Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

  • 3 - Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)

  • 4 - Joe Launchbury (Wasps)

  • 5 - Geoff Parling (Exeter Chiefs)

  • 6 - Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)

  • 7 - Chris Robshaw (Captain, Harlequins)

  • 8 - Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby)

Replacements

  • 16 - Rob Webber (Bath Rugby)

  • 17 - Mako Vunipola (Saracens)

  • 18 - Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints)

  • 19 - George Kruis (Saracens)

  • 20 - Nick Easter (Harlequins)

  • 21 - Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)

  • 22 - George Ford (Bath Rugby)

  • 23 - Sam Burgess (Bath Rugby)