Switch for versatile Wallabies prop

With regular tightheads Allan Alaalatoa and Taniela Tupou both ruled out with concussion symptoms, veteran Slipper will shift from loosehead to wear the No.3 jersey.

Although Slipper hasn’t started at for the Wallabies at tighthead since 2012, he has packed down on both sides of the front row for the Brumbies in recent years.

Angus Bell will be the Wallabies’ starting loosehead, while 28-year-old former Western Force prop Oliver Hoskins, who has played his club football for London Irish since 2016, is poised to make his debut for Australia after being named on the bench.

“While it’s disappointing for Taniela and Allan who weren’t able to pass their (concussion) protocols within the six-day turnaround, it’s created an opportunity for Ollie to realise a lifelong dream,” Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said.

“He’s impressed us with his dedication and diligence to get up to speed quickly and we’re confident he’ll do a good job for us.”

There is also a change in Australia’s backline from the team that started in last weekend’s 15-13 loss to Scotland.

With winger Jordan Petaia’s tour over because of a hamstring injury, Kurtley Beale comes into the starting 15 and will be used at fullback in his 94th Wallabies appearance.

Beale’s inclusion means that Andrew Kellaway shifts back to wing after starting at fullback against the Scots.

“We expect England to put a lot of ball in the air, and both (winger) Tom (Wright) and ‘Kell” are very strong aerially, and so is Kurtley, so we felt those three in the backfield were perfect for what we expect,” Rennie said.

“We’re lucky to have someone of (Beale’s) experience back there.”

Rennie said the mood in the Wallabies group was good and that the team had prepared well in its bid to avoid a eighth successive loss to England.

“Playing England at a packed Twickenham is one of the toughest assignments in Test Rugby but we’re excited by that,” he said.

“We don’t look at history so what’s happened in previous years is irrelevant really.

“We’ve had a bit of a setback around tightheads but … we just need to get all the little details right.
“We know what’s coming. We’ve trained to deal with that and we see opportunities if we’re good enough to expose them, so that’s our challenge.”

France-based hooker Tolu Latu will make his return to the Wallabies match-day squad for the first time since the 2019 Rugby World Cup after being named on the bench.

Wallabies team to play England at Twickenham on Sunday at 4.30am (AEDT): 1. Angus Bell, 2. Folau Fainga’a, 3. James Slipper, 4, Rory Arnold, 5. Izack Rodda, 6. Rob Leota, 7. Michael Hooper (c), 8. Rob Valetini, 9. Nic White, 10. James O’Connor, 11. Tom Wright, 12. Hunter Paisami, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Andrew Kellaway, 15. Kurtley Beale. Replacements: 16. Tolu Latu, 17. Tom Robertson, 18. Oliver Hoskins, 19. Will Skelton, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Noah Lolesio, 23. Izaia Perese.

Originally published as Wallabies: James Slipper to cover for concussed teammates Allan Alaalatoa and Taniela Tupou