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Australia big guns return to team for England showdown

The Wallabies celebrate a David Pocock try
Image: The Wallabies big guns return against England

Australia's big guns all return for Saturday's crunch Rugby World Cup showdown with England at Twickenham.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made 14 changes to the team that hammered Pool A minnows Uruguay 65-3, with only prop Scott Sio keeping his place.

The team is exactly the same as the starting XV which beat Fiji 28-13. It is the second most experienced team - with 740 caps - Australia have ever fielded in a World Cup match.

"We've been working hard each day this week to improve our game before we play England on Saturday," said Cheika.

"I believe that this group has been really clear on where we must improve and the level we must be at to compete with England and we know that it's going to be a very tough challenge.

Michael Cheika, Australia head coach
Image: Michael Cheika out to make Australia proud

"The group is really committed to making all Australians truly proud of how we represent them at this Rugby World Cup and Saturday night will be another opportunity for us to do that."

Australia will name their replacements bench after training on Thursday. Cheika must change at least one of his replacements from the Fiji match after lock Will Skelton was ruled out of the rest of the World Cup with a pectoral injury earlier this week.

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Highlights of England vs Australia at Twickenham in November 2014

Will Genia and Bernard Foley will resume their unfamiliar half-back partnership at Twickenham - this will be just the second time they have started together - with Matt Giteau winning his 98th Test cap at inside centre.

Rob Horne retains his place on the wing after a solid defensive performance against the dangerous Fijian backs, while Adam Ashley-Cooper will win his 110th cap on the other flank.

Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia; 1 Scott Sio, 2 Stephen Moore, 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Kane Douglas, 5 Rob Simmons, 6 Scott Fardy, 7 Michael Hooper, 8 David Pocock.

Replacements: tbc

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