by Paul Cook –

It’s probably no surprise given the return to availability of Jonathan Joseph and the question marks over his performance in last week’s devastating loss to Wales, but Sam Burgess returns to bench duty for England as coach Stuart Lancaster names the squad to take on Australia in Sunday morning’s do-or-die clash for the hosts.

Ben Morgan comes back in at no. 8 for Billy Vunipola, whose tournament was ended by injury, while Courtney Lawes is another casualty from last weekend’s battle royale, Joe Launchbury taking the Northampton lock’s place and veteran Nick Easter joining the bench.

Ben Youngs has recovered from an ankle issue to take his place at scrumhalf and – in possibly the tactical decision of most interest to the Red Rose faithful – he will be partnered once again by Owen Farrell.  A loss for England could make them the first host nation in Rugby World Cup history to fail to reach the knockout-stages.

Gloucester enforcer Morgan, spoke earlier in the week about the feeling in the England camp as they prepare for the biggest game of their careers.

“It’s all in our hands going into this game. It was disappointing against Wales but it’s up to us to put in a solid performance and get the win. It didn’t quite go to plan at the weekend but it’s up to us to put it right and there’s a lot of motivators out there and frustration is definitely one of them. We like the pressure, it brings out the characters within the squad and pulls us all together and ultimately, it refocuses the mind.”

Australia v England
Twickenham, London
5.15am AEST, Sunday 3rd October

England XV: 1. Joe Marler; 2. Tom Youngs; 3. Dan Cole; 4. Joe Launchbury; 5. Geoff Parling; 6. Tom Wood; 7. Chris Robshaw; 8. Ben Morgan; 9. Ben Youngs; 10. Owen Farrell; 11. Jonny May; 12. Brad Barritt; 13. Jonathan Joseph; 14. Anthony Watson; 15. Mike Brown

Replacements: Rob Webber, Mako Vunipola, Kieran Brookes, George Kruis, Nick Easter, Richard Wigglesworth, George Ford, Sam Burgess