By Kath
November 1 2013

 England v Australia for the Cook Cup Trophy - Twickenham - Kick Off 1430.  Live on Sky Sports 2HD(13:30) and Sky Sports 3D ( 13:30)

QBE Autumn Internationals 2013

England v Australia

Cook Cup 2013

England rugby kicked off this weekend with the outing of the England Legends v Australian Legends and what a super spectacle that was.  Anyone who lived through the Rugby World Cup of 2003 would feel even through the TV screen the tangible excitement and glory of that winning side.

Anyway back to reality and the team we have now!  

Well on paper it looks good and with a bit of luck (as you always need this) we should win against the wallabies on Saturday.  That is not to say my heart will not be in my mouth watching.  

England will be looking to start well this autumn and attempt to build a winning passage on the way to the 2015 Rugby World Cup as England Captain Chris Robshaw has stated he wants Twickenham to be a 'Fortress' once again.    

Yes please Chris, Yes please!

And we fans are being implored to get behind the team ahead of the QBE Internationals, England Rugby calling on fans to get behind the team by Tweeting their messages of support using the hashtag #carrythemhome.   

Joel Tomkins & Billy Twelvetrees - Pictures by Empics

England have a new look in midfield with Joel Tomkins making his debut and linking up with Billy Twelvetrees.  Joel, who switched codes in 2011, said

"playing for England was the target he set himself when he moved from Wigan to Saracens".  

Well you have to applaud his work ethic as he has made it and the very best of luck to him.   Uniquely his brother Sam is also playing on Saturday for England in that other oval ball sport - The Rugby League World Cup match against Ireland.

Getting back to our code..... Northampton's Lee Dickson has been selected on form as scrum-half and Leicester's Ben Youngs, is warning the bench. Billy Vunipola starts his first Test, and wing Marland Yarde his second.

Have to say it is the first time in a long time that I am really getting excited about an England Rugby International match.   As someone who watched at Twickenham all the matches that made Twickenham a fortress and beyond all those years ago.  I have never after the 2003 Rugby World Cup really felt the same enthusiasm for the spectacle of it all.   But I just feel in my bones the tide is changing and I am really looking forward to this match.

England talk a good talk but they now have to produce the WINS and if they do that then the nation of fans will be with them once more.

As for the wallabies well they have a new Captain Ben Mowen and this could be a little tricky for them, there again it could be a real incentive for players to impress, we shall see.  They also have had real problems with their scrum in the past but they have strengthened  this in the front row and it will be more of a test for England

Oh and we can always rely on the David Campese for a quote " Australia will have the edge over England at Twickenham"............ well we shall see.

England: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Chris Ashton (Saracens), Joel Tomkins (Saracens), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester), Marland Yarde (London Irish), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Lee Dickson (Northampton); Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Tom Youngs (Leicester), Dan Cole (Leicester), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Tom Wood (Northampton), Chris Robshaw (Captain, Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens).

Replacements: Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Joe Marler Harlequins), David Wilson (Bath), Dave Attwood Bath), Ben Morgan (Gloucester), Ben Youngs (Leicester), Toby Flood (Leicester), Ben Foden (Northampton).

Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'

Shakespeare's Henry V, Act III, 1598.

Australia: Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs); Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs), Tevita Kuridrani (ACT Brumbies), Matt Toomua (ACT Brumbies), Nick Cummins (Western Force); Quade Cooper (vice-captain, Queensland Reds), Will Genia (Queensland Reds); James Slipper (Queensland Reds), Stephen Moore (ACT Brumbies), Ben Alexander (ACT Brumbies), Sitaleki Timani (NSW Waratahs), James Horwill (Queensland Reds), Scott Fardy (ACT Brumbies), Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs), Ben Mowen (Captain, ACT Brumbies)

Replacements: Saia Fainga'a (Queensland Reds), Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs), Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs), Kane Douglas (NSW Waratahs), Ben McCalman (Western Force), Nic White (ACT Brumbies), Christian Leali'ifano (ACT Brumbies), Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs)

England v Australia -Cook Cup 2013 -QBE Autumn Int.,

Discussion started by Unofficial England Rugby Union , 01/11/2013 13:39

Unofficial England Rugby Union
01/11/2013 13:39

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UnofficialEnglandRugby
01/11/2013 14:25

England's Joel Tomkins



THIS WEEK'S Podcast is in the England camp on the eve of the QBE Internationals at Twickenham Stadium.

We speak to Joel Tomkins, Lee Dickson, Marland Yarde and Billy Vunipola as they prepare to face Australia.

Saracens centre Tomkins wins his first cap, realising a "massive goal" on the same day that brother Sam lines up for the England rugby league side against Ireland.

Scrum half Dickson is calm and collected after raising his game another level at Northampton Saints this season while London Irish wing Yarde is relishing the chance to make a first international start at Twickenham.

We also hear from the younger of the two Vunipola brothers in the England team. Billy, also making his first Twickenham start, assesses the opposition.

For the full interviews, check out today's RFU Podcast. Here you can listen to the weekly podcast or subscribe and have it delivered straight to your inbox each week.

The RFU Podcast takes you inside English rugby from the grassroots to the elite. Click here to listen

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luddite
01/11/2013 20:36

Looking forward to it. Aussies aren't exactly at their best even though they footed it with the ABs the other weekend.

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