Care to make long-awaited England return

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: England head coach Eddie Jones has revealed his side to face Australia in the first Test match in Perth on Saturday.

Courtney Lawes has been named captain and starts as blindside flank. Tom Curry is openside flank and Billy Vunipola makes his first appearance for England since March 2021 at number eight.

In the front row hooker Jamie George joins props Ellis Genge and Will Stuart. Maro Itoje and Jonny Hill are the locks.

Owen Farrell, whose last appearance for England was in their 32-15 win over the Wallabies in November 2021, returns after injury at inside centre and Joe Marchant is outside centre.

Joe Cokanasiga (left) and Jack Nowell (right) are on the wings with Freddie Steward at fullback.

At scrumhalf, Danny Care will start for the first time since November 2018 and Marcus Smith is named at flyhalf.

Three players could make their England debuts after being named as finishers: Guy Porter, Jack van Poortvliet and apprentice player Henry Arundell. They are joined by Luke Cowan-Dickie, Mako Vunipola, Joe Heyes, Ollie Chessum and Lewis Ludlam.

"We have had very strong preparation for this game. We did some good recovery work in Fremantle and quality training in Perth," said Jones. "The squad has come together well since we met up last week.

"Picking the 23 out of this group of 36 was difficult. We feel we have a well-balanced team which is ready for this improving Australia team. We’ll take it to them from the start."

Charlie Ewels suffered a knee injury in training on Wednesday,  which has ruled him out of England’s tour of Australia.

Sam Jeffries has been called up to the squad.

England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Joe Cokanasiga, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Danny Care, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Courtney Lawes (Captain), 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Jamie George, 1 Ellis Genge.

Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Jack van Poortlviet, 22 Guy Porter, 23 Henry Arundell

Date: Saturday, July 2

Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth

Kick-off: 17.55 (10.55 UK time; 09.55 GMT)

Referee: James Doleman (NZR)

Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace (IRFU) & Craig Evans (WRU)

TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)