England v Australia: Fin Smith passes fitness test as uncapped Greg Fisilau named on bench

Updated 6 Nov 2026, 18:00 · First published 6 Nov 2026

Fin Smith has passed his fitness test and will start at fly-half as England open their Nations Championship home campaign against Australia at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Sunday.

Steve Borthwick has also named an uncapped player among the replacements: Exeter Chiefs back-rower Greg Fisilau could make his Test debut off the bench.

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England team to face Australia

Fin Smith wins his fitness race

Smith had been touch and go with a calf problem but came through the required tests, so he keeps the No 10 shirt, with Marcus Smith providing cover from the bench.

How the Nations Championship works

The new competition splits 12 teams into two pools: the Six Nations sides in one, and the Rugby Championship nations plus Fiji and Japan in the other. Each team plays every side from the opposite pool once, across the summer and November windows. The finals take place at Twickenham from 27 to 29 November, where teams meet the side that finished in the same position in the other pool.

Ben Earl, who starts at No 8, scored a memorable try the last time these two sides met at Twickenham – England have been sharing the clip ahead of the game:

Going to Twickenham?

Tube strikes are planned on several dates this month, so check before you travel. Twickenham is served by South Western Railway trains from London Waterloo.