Care Dropped, Hughes Set For England Return Against Australia

Care dropped, Hughes set for England return against Australia

England have dropped scrum-half Danny Care for Saturday's Test against Australia but Nathan Hughes is back in Eddie Jones's squad for the final autumn fixture.

London, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Nov, 2018 ) :England have dropped scrum-half Danny Care for Saturday's Test against Australia but Nathan Hughes is back in Eddie Jones's squad for the final autumn fixture.

The Fijian-born Wasps number eight was included in the 28-man group announced on Monday after serving a six-week suspension.

Also axed after Saturday's laboured 35-15 victory over Japan are centre Alex Lozowski and number eight Zach Mercer.

Northampton's Piers Francis has been included as has Manu Tuilagi, last capped in 2016. Tuilagi is yet to feature this autumn because of injury.

"Nathan did a bit of training yesterday (Sunday) so he's not bad," said England coach Jones. "We'll wait and see if he could start." But Tuilagi appears set to miss the entire autumn programme after Jones painted a bleak picture over his chances of facing Australia.

"Manu's coming along well but is very doubtful for this weekend. We'll wait and see," Jones added.

Richard Wigglesworth, a second-half replacement on Saturday, is poised to supply scrum-half cover for Ben Youngs.

Jones, whose side have two wins from their three November fixtures so far, said both sides would be aiming to finish their year on a high.

"They've had a tough year, a bit like us," he said. "It's their last game of the year, as it is ours so we'll both be looking for a winning performance." Jones will announce his matchday squad of 23 players on Thursday.

England squad to face Australia Backs (13): Chris Ashton (Sale), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester), Piers Francis (Northampton), Jonny May (Leicester), Jack Nowell (Exeter), Henry Slade (Exeter), Ben Te'o (Worcester), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Ben Youngs (Leicester)Forwards (15): Charlie Ewels (Bath), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Alec Hepburn (Exeter), Ted Hill (Worcester), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Ben Moon (Exeter) , Brad Shields (Wasps), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Elliott Stooke (Bath), Sam Underhill (Bath), Harry Williams (Exeter), Mark Wilson (Newcastle)