England vs Australia line-ups: Fin Smith fit, Ben Curry starts

Fin Smith starts at fly-half and Ben Curry returns to England’s back row for Sunday’s Nations Championship meeting with Australia, while Greg Fisilau could make his Test debut from the bench.

The England vs Australia line-ups are confirmed for the Round 4 fixture at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. Kick-off is at 3.10pm GMT on Sunday 8 November.

Maro Itoje captains England, with Harry Wilson leading the Wallabies. Australia select Declan Meredith at fly-half and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the left wing.

England rugby team news: Fin Smith starts against Australia

Smith has won his fitness race to take the number 10 shirt, partnering Jack van Poortvliet at half-back. Marcus Smith is among the replacements.

Ben Curry starts at openside alongside Ollie Chessum and Ben Earl in the back row. Sale Sharks confirmed Curry’s return to England’s starting XV for the first time in more than a year.

Steve Borthwick has chosen six forwards and two backs on the bench. Fisilau joins Henry Pollock among the back-row replacements, with Ben Spencer and Marcus Smith providing the specialist backline cover.

England starting XV against Australia

No.	Player	Position
1	Fin Baxter	Loosehead prop
2	Jamie George	Hooker
3	Joe Heyes	Tighthead prop
4	Maro Itoje (captain)	Lock
5	Alex Coles	Lock
6	Ollie Chessum	Blindside flanker
7	Ben Curry	Openside flanker
8	Ben Earl	Number eight
9	Jack van Poortvliet	Scrum-half
10	Fin Smith	Fly-half
11	Immanuel Feyi-Waboso	Left wing
12	Seb Atkinson	Inside centre
13	Henry Slade	Outside centre
14	Tommy Freeman	Right wing
15	George Furbank	Full-back

England replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 George Martin, 20 Greg Fisilau, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Marcus Smith.

Australia team news: Ikitau returns as Suaalii moves to wing

Len Ikitau returns at inside centre after recovering from concussion, partnering Isaac Henry. Suaalii moves to the left wing, with Max Jorgensen on the right and Tom Wright at full-back.

Meredith starts alongside scrum-half Ryan Lonergan. In the pack, Jeremy Williams, Fraser McReight and captain Wilson form the back row.

As detailed in Sky Sports’ team-news report, Australia also have substantial forward options in reserve, including Taniela Tupou and Rob Valetini.

Australia starting XV against England

No.	Player	Position
1	Angus Bell	Loosehead prop
2	Billy Pollard	Hooker
3	Allan Alaalatoa	Tighthead prop
4	Josh Canham	Lock
5	Lukhan Salakaia-Loto	Lock
6	Jeremy Williams	Blindside flanker
7	Fraser McReight	Openside flanker
8	Harry Wilson (captain)	Number eight
9	Ryan Lonergan	Scrum-half
10	Declan Meredith	Fly-half
11	Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii	Left wing
12	Len Ikitau	Inside centre
13	Isaac Henry	Outside centre
14	Max Jorgensen	Right wing
15	Tom Wright	Full-back

Australia replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Isaac Aedo Kailea, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rob Valetini, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Filipo Daugunu.

When is England vs Australia?

England host Australia at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Sunday 8 November 2026. Kick-off is at 3.10pm GMT.

For more coverage, visit our international rugby news section. Broadcast listings are available in our rugby on TV guide.