Danny Care, Ollie Chessum and Lewis Ludlam start England's series decider vs Australia

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By Emma Thurston

Eddie Jones explains the changes to his line-up ahead of England's series decider against Australia on Saturday

Danny Care, Ollie Chessum and Lewis Ludlam will start in England's series decider versus Australia on Saturday, as Eddie Jones makes three changes to the line-up.

Chessum and Ludlam replace Maro Itoje and Sam Underhill, who were both ruled out due to concussion following the second Test. At lock, Chessum will be making his first start for England.

Care is the only change in the backs, as he replaces Jack van Poortvliet at scrum-half and brings 86 caps worth of experience into the Test team.

The 35-year-old will link up alongside his Harlequins team-mate Marcus Smith in the half-backs, with Owen Farrell and Guy Porter forming England's centre partnership.

Freddie Steward, Jack Nowell and Tommy Freeman will again come together in the back three.

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Image: Danny Care will start alongside Marcus Smith in the half backs

Courtney Lawes will lead England as captain from the back row, with Ludlham and No 8 Billy Vunipola alongside him.

Nick Isiekwe could make his first appearance of the series off the bench. After having to withdraw ahead of the second Test due to a rib injury, Jack Willis is again named as a replacement.

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All four series deciders. It's Only Live Once.

Everything you need to know and how to watch the Summer Tour series deciders for Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland, exclusively live on Sky Sports this Saturday.

"We've had a squad of 36 this tour who have competed hard and we're really proud of their efforts," Jones said.

"We go into this Test with a strong squad of 23. It's a young, inexperienced but together group, who have developed well throughout this series.

"We want to play with purpose and energy to win the series and a historic Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground."

England: 15. Freddie Steward, 14. Jack Nowell, 13. Guy Porter, 12. Owen Farrell, 11. Tommy Freeman, 10. Marcus Smith, 9. Danny Care, 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Jamie George, 3. Will Stuart, 4. Ollie Chessum 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Courtney Lawes (captain), 7. Lewis Ludlam, 8. Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Mako Vunipola, 18. Joe Heyes, 19. Nick Isiekwe, 20. Jack Willis, 21. Jack van Poortvliet, 22. Will Joseph, 23. Henry Arundell.

Care 'over the moon' to start

Danny Care is loving being back in England's camp and cannot wait to start in the decider

With 86 caps to his name, Care is no stranger to important Test matches but he remains as enthusiastic as ever to have been given a start in this series decider.

"I'm very excited, it's a massive game on Saturday and I can't wait," he said to Sky Sports.

"To get the nod to start the game, obviously I'm over the moon for, so can't wait to get out there and show what I can do."

Jones told Care at breakfast that he'd be wearing the nine jersey on Saturday and the 35-year-old was quick to praise the man who wore the shirt last weekend - Van Poortvliet.

"I thought that Jack was brilliant at the weekend. He did an unbelievable job for us to start the game and he's going to play a lot of Tests for England," Care said.

"For this game, Eddie has decided to change for roles and for me to start, which obviously I'm absolutely over the moon for. I can't wait to run out with the boys on Saturday and hopefully create some history."

We know Australia are going to come firing back in this third Test and that we've got to raise our game. We've work hard, we're ready and prepared. There will be a quick run through tomorrow and we'll fly into it on Saturday.
Danny Care

The opening Test of this tour marked Care's first cap since November 2018 and he shared that this tour feels special, given the time he had away from the international set-up.

"I think I can [enjoy it more now]. It's definitely felt different, being the oldest guy but the newest guy has been interesting.

"It's an unbelievable set of lads and a great set of coaches and backroom staff, who work the hardest I've ever see. It's been amazing to be back in."

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Care will line-up alongside his club team-mate Smith in the heart of England's backline and he's thrilled to see Smith thriving on the international stage.

"I'll be honest, I didn't think I'd see the day that I'd be able to partner him in an England shirt," Care said.

"I'm over the moon for him to have had the success that he's having and he's only going to get better and better.

"The chance to put on an England shirt with him at nine and 10, obviously we did it in the first Test and we get to do it in the third... I can't wait to throw him the ball and let him be special."

Watch highlights of the second Test between Australia and England in Brisbane

Four changes to Australia's starting XV

Dave Rennie has made four amendments to Australia's starting XV.

Harry Wilson arrives in the back row and Reece Hodge is given the nod to start at full-back. The duo are set to play their first Tests this year.

James Slipper returns to the role of loosehead prop and Nick Frost is set to earn his first Test start in the second row.

The former rugby league star Suliasi Vunivalu could make his Wallabies debut from the bench.

Eleanor Roper was joined by David Flatman to review England's win over Australia in the second test

Test centurion Slipper will be joined by David Porecki and Taniela Tupou in the front row. Frost and Philip will be behind them in the engine room.

Nic White and Noah Lolesio will join together at nine and 10 for the third consecutive match, with White set to make his 50th international appearance.

"We know we're a much better team than how we played in Brisbane," Rennie said. "We've had a good week of preparation which will allow us to put in a performance that makes Australians proud on Saturday night.

"As a squad we have an opportunity to go to Sydney and lift some silverware in a series decider and that's something that highly motivates us."

Australia: 15. Reece Hodge, 14. Tom Wright, 13. Hunter Paisami, 12. Samu Kerevi, 11. Marika Koroibete, 10. Noah Lolesio, 9. Nic White, 1. James Slipper 2. David Porecki, 3. Taniela Tupou 4. Nick Frost, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Harry Wilson, 7. Michael Hooper (captain), 8. Rob Valetini.

Replacements: 16. Folau Faingaa, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Allan Alaalatoa, 19. Rob Leota, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Len Ikitau, 23. Suliasi Vunivalu.

How to follow Summer Tour deciders on Sky Sports

Every deciding Test is live on Sky Sports Action across the day on Saturday, as the Northern Hemisphere teams all aim to replicate the success they achieved last weekend.

  • New Zealand vs Ireland in Wellington - coverage from 7.30am (8:05am kick-off)
  • Australia vs England in Sydney - coverage from 10:15am (10:55am kick-off)
  • South Africa vs Wales in Cape Town - coverage from 3.30pm (4.05pm kick-off)
  • Argentina vs Scotland in Santiago del Estero - coverage from 7.30pm (8.10pm kick-off)

Watch all of the action from the Summer Tours on Saturday, with coverage live on Sky Sports Action from 7.30am.

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