Ahead of England’s Nations Championship Test against the Wallabies, here is how we think Steve Borthwick’s side will line up at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Sunday.

England come into this month’s Tests in an interesting position. Two wins from three in July suggest they are back on the right track after a tough 2026 Six Nations, but you feel they need a convincing campaign to really lay a marker heading towards the World Cup. And even to quieten the noise around them.

There is a sense of familiarity within the extended 36-man squad, with Borthwick likely looking to build on the foundations set in July. Summer tourist Greg Fisilau is the only uncapped man in the wider group, while the already-capped cohort of Ben Curry, Will Joseph, Joe Marchant, Fin Baxter, Fraser Dingwall and Harry Randall make a return to the fold. There are a few injury worries, though, with Alex Mitchell ruled out of the entire campaign and Archie McParland also out of contention for at least this weekend’s Test.

Trust the process

The key injury headache for Borthwick right now comes in the form of Fin Smith, who is struggling with a calf injury and is understood to be given until later today to be declared fit.

Should he come through those fitness tests, you would assume F. Smith is the nailed-on starter to take on the Wallabies. The Northampton Saints ace has once again been in great form for his club across the new season, and on the Test front has started on each of England’s past five outings at a time when they’ve looked to build a backline and an attack around him.

But should he be ruled out, it does seem like Marcus Smith will be given the reins at 10. It’s an astonishing stat that he has played more at scrum-half than fly-half in recent Tests for England, but he comes into the November campaign in pretty sparkling form of late and that certainly warrants a go. It would also be really interesting to see how M. Smith fits into Lee Blackett’s attack, with him given very little if any real time in it to date. If F. Smith is fit to play, M. Smith likely slides onto the bench (which we’ll come onto).

Elsewhere, you feel Borthwick will stick to the status quo and give the bulk of that summer backline another go in the form of Tommy Freeman, Henry Slade, Seb Atkinson and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. The aforementioned injuries to Mitchell and McParland have thrown a slight spanner into the works at scrum-half, but Jack van Poortvliet should also retain his place in the run-on group.

Keep the faith

You also feel there won’t be massive change in the pack, either.

The front-row unit of Ellis Genge, Jamie George and Joe Heyes have turned the scrum into a real weapon for England in recent Tests, with it one of the few rays of light coming from their Six Nations campaign and continuing on in the July block as well, and they seem the front-runners to start again this weekend. Maro Itoje should also come straight back into the side as well, following his impressive return to the field this season after an extended break.

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Who joins him is an interesting call, with Borthwick having plenty of options to choose from, but Alex Coles does seem to be edging out in front for the five shirt. He has really grown into the starting role in recent Tests, enjoying a stellar run in July for his troubles, and that form should ensure he keeps his place. There is a debate on whether Ollie Chessum should shift back to lock, but with England keen to run with a big bopper at blindside flank, he will likely remain in the back-row.

Borthwick is spoiled for choice across the rest of the back-row, but could he be tempted to give Henry Pollock a start this weekend? Look, there is no denying he will be England’s long-term option in the back-row, wherever you want to play him really, but this feels like the right time to get going on that process and get him cemented in. He would not only give England a proper breakdown threat to go up against Fraser McReight in a right old ding-dong, but should act as another genuine ball carrier. His raw pace also makes him a unique threat in broken field if used correctly.

Speaking of that blend of pace and power, it feels like Ben Earl will also keep his number eight spot, with him being one of England’s key weapons across the park. Like Pollock, he will also be a key jackal threat.

Return of the Pom Squad

In last year’s November Tests, one thing was present across their four Tests and helped power them to victory. The Pom Squad. It feels like that could be about to come back, and in a big way.

England’s shift away from this trusted tactic was largely down to some key injuries in the pack, but founding members Fin Baxter and Will Stuart are back up and running this year and could give Borthwick that sort of impact he relished last year. The hulking frame of George Martin would only add yet more steel and power to this pack in the closing moments, while Luke Cowan-Dickie and Tom Curry could again provide a spark off the bench as they did so well last year. Should Borthwick opt for the 6:2 split, it feels a good time to finally give Greg Fisilau his Test debut, with the Exeter Chiefs forward another willing carrier in the tight.

As mentioned above, M. Smith will likely occupy the number 23 shirt if F. Smith is deemed fit to start this weekend, but if not, Joe Marchant could make his Test comeback off the bench. He also gives England a touch more versatility with his ability to cover both centre and wing, but his previous stint in the squad before his move to France and his returning at essentially the first opportunity show that Borthwick trusts him, and that’s a big tick in his box. Will Joseph could be an option here too, with the Gloucester back in red-hot form for his club and also able to shift across the backline.

Elsewhere, Ben Spencer seems to be the probable scrum-half replacement after his inclusion in the extended squad this week.

Predicted England team in full

Starting XV: 15 George Furbank, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Seb Atkinson, 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, 10 Fin Smith (if fit) OR Marcus Smith, 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Henry Pollock, 6 Ollie Chessum, 5 Alex Coles, 4 Maro Itoje (c), 3 Joe Heyes, 2 Jamie George, 1 Ellis Genge
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Will Stuart, 19 George Martin, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Greg Fisilau, 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Marcus Smith OR Joe Marchant