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Edmed is set to again steer the Wallabies from the fly-half role when they face England, while Carter Gordon's eagerly awaited return to test rugby is on hold.

The eight-Test fly-half, that previously played for Australia at the most recent World Cup prior to shock switch to league by signing with the Titans, has secured a release from his NRL deal to link up with the Wallabies during their tour.

However, Gordon is believed to be still battle a quadriceps injury sustained in practice last week and will not feature from the squad aiming to secure back-to-back wins over England at Twickenham for the first time in over a decade and a half.

Australia Face Selection Issues

The Australian side is undermanned, hindered by the inability to choose important overseas-based stars such as their UK-based award winner Len Ikitau, Hooper, and James O'Connor, whereas the hosts boast full strength.

That has sparked criticism that the Australian team's bid to climb the World Rugby rankings before the upcoming pool draw for the home 2027 Rugby World Cup has been unfairly impacted, since the English are able to select each of their domestic league squad members.

Head Coach Schmidt Stays Optimistic

But, Australia coach Joe Schmidt, coming off leading a hard-fought victory against Japan with a mostly backup outfit, remains optimistic he has a winning team at his disposal, with several star players returning to the lineup.

"We have tried to balance this season's tough schedule in terms of international games and travel commitments, so it was beneficial to freshen a few squad members up in the previous match and we hope that enables the group to be really strong on the weekend," said the coach.

Wallabies Team to Play England

• Andrew Kellaway; Jorgensen, Suaalii, Hunter Paisami, Potter;
• Tane Edmed, J Gordon;
• Bell, Billy Pollard, Tupou, Frost, Darcy Williams,
• Valetini, McReight, Wilson (captain).
• Reserves: Nasser, Robertson, Allan Alaalatoa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Ryan Lonergan, James Stewart, Daugunu.

Notable Comebacks and Partnerships

Prop Tupou is back in the starting side for the first occasion after the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland, while captain Wilson wears the No 8 jersey once more, forming a well-known powerful loose forward trio with Rob Valetini and Fraser McReight.

Waratahs teammates Jake Gordon and Tane Edmed are named in the halves for the third consecutive international, and Hunter Paisami will partner in midfield with Suaalii, returning to the scene of his remarkable union debut the previous season.

Jorgensen, the last-gasp match-winner that day with his decisive try, plays once more, while Harry Potter is tasked to contribute his bit of magic on the opposite wing.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has recovered from a rib injury and will provide cover at second row, and Nick Champion de Crespigny, the leader against the Japanese, is named as a loose forward reserve.