Wallabies vs England Twickenham Preview
The Wallabies open their November campaign with the toughest assignment on the tour: England at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. The Test on Sunday 8 November is the fourth round of the inaugural Nations Championship, and with both teams sitting third in their conferences, every point matters before Finals Weekend.
This preview covers the key details, recent form, the head-to-head story, squad news, tactical battles, and what each side needs from the match.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fixture | England vs Australia |
| Competition | 2026 Nations Championship |
| Venue | Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London |
| Date | Sunday 8 November 2026 (UK) |
| Kick-off in Australia | 2:10am AEDT, Monday 9 November |
| Rivalry trophy | Ella-Mobbs Trophy, contested in recent meetings |
Where Both Teams Stand
After the July window, both sides were well placed but not yet in control:
- England: third in the Northern conference with 10 points, from two wins and one loss
- Australia: third in the Southern conference with 8 points, from one win and two losses
Because Finals Weekend pairs teams by conference position, a win here could help either side climb into the top two and set up a bigger match at Twickenham at the end of the month.
Recent Form
England
England finished 2025 strongly, winning every Test of their autumn series at home, including victories over Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Argentina. 2026 has been more uneven. Published results show a difficult Six Nations, followed by a better July window in which England won two of three Nations Championship matches, including a hard-fought win in Argentina while reduced to 13 men.
England’s November schedule is demanding. After Australia, they host Japan on 14 November and New Zealand on 21 November, all at Twickenham.
Australia
The Wallabies have had a mixed year under head coach Les Kiss:
- Nations Championship losses to Ireland (31 to 33) and France (26 to 42)
- A big 57 to 10 win over Italy
- Two wins over Japan, plus a win and a draw against Argentina
- A memorable 42 to 38 victory over South Africa in Perth
- Two heavy Bledisloe Cup defeats to New Zealand
The attack has shown it can score freely, but consistency against top-tier sides remains the challenge.
Recent Head-to-Head
England and Australia share one of rugby’s great rivalries, and recent meetings have swung both ways.
| Year | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Twickenham | England 32, Australia 15 |
| 2022 | Perth | Australia 30, England 28 |
| 2022 | Brisbane | England 25, Australia 17 |
| 2022 | Sydney | England 21, Australia 17 |
| 2024 | Twickenham | Australia 42, England 37 |
| 2025 | Twickenham | England 25, Australia 7 |
The 2024 Thriller
Australian fans will remember 2024 fondly. In a remarkable match at Twickenham, the Wallabies won 42 to 37, with Max Jorgensen scoring a dramatic late try to snatch victory. Jorgensen is in the 2026 touring squad, and the memory of that win will give the visitors belief.
The 2025 Setback
A year later, England responded with a convincing 25 to 7 win at the same venue, holding Australia to a single try. The Wallabies will want to show they have learned from that defeat.
Team News
England
Head coach Steve Borthwick named a 36-player squad for the November window. Experienced names include Maro Itoje, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Jamie George, Ellis Genge, George Ford, Marcus Smith, Henry Slade, Freddie Steward, and Tommy Freeman, with young back-rower Henry Pollock also included.
The major blow is the loss of scrumhalf Alex Mitchell, ruled out with a hamstring injury. Ben Spencer and Harry Randall are the scrumhalves named in the squad. Borthwick described facing Australia as “an exciting challenge.”
Australia
Les Kiss named a 33-player touring squad captained by Harry Wilson. Overseas-based forwards Taniela Tupou and Tom Hooper are available, while uncapped prop Tom Lambert and scrumhalf Teddy Wilson could make debuts on tour. Will Skelton, Pete Samu, and Langi Gleeson were among those unavailable.
Key Battles
- The scrum: Ellis Genge and Jamie George against a Wallabies front row boosted by the return of Tupou
- The back row: Tom Curry, Ben Earl, and Henry Pollock against Harry Wilson, Rob Valetini, and Fraser McReight, a contest likely to decide the breakdown
- The halves: with Mitchell out, England’s scrumhalf choice will be tested by Australia’s defensive pressure
- The midfield: Henry Slade against Len Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
- Outside backs: Tommy Freeman and Freddie Steward against Max Jorgensen and Tom Wright
What Each Team Needs
England
- A strong set piece to control territory
- Kicking accuracy from Ford or one of the Smiths
- Solid scrumhalf play to cover Mitchell’s absence
- A fast start in front of a home crowd
Australia
- Discipline, especially at the breakdown and in defence
- Quick ball for their dangerous outside backs
- Composure in the final quarter, where recent Tests have been won and lost
- At least a bonus point, even in defeat, to stay in the hunt for a top-two finish
A Rivalry Built on Big Moments
Few rugby rivalries have produced as many famous matches. Two of the biggest came on the world stage:
- 1991 Rugby World Cup final: Australia beat England at Twickenham to win their first world title
- 2003 Rugby World Cup final: England beat Australia in extra time in Sydney, sealed by Jonny Wilkinson’s famous drop goal
Since then, the rivalry has been shaped by long streaks, close finishes, and coaching connections across both camps. Since 2022, the two sides have played for the Ella-Mobbs Trophy, named after Wallabies great Mark Ella and England’s Edgar Mobbs, linking the modern contest to the history of both nations.
That history adds an extra layer to every meeting at Twickenham, where Australian teams have both suffered painful defeats and celebrated memorable wins.
Factors That Could Decide the Result
- Home advantage: England won every home Test in their 2025 autumn series, and Twickenham crowds can lift them in tight moments
- Travel and preparation: this is Australia’s first Test of the tour, so how quickly they adjust to conditions will matter
- Weather: a wet November day could favour kicking and set-piece play over running rugby
- Bench impact: both coaches will rely heavily on their replacements in the final 20 minutes
- Cards: a yellow card at the wrong moment could swing the match
Why This Test Matters
Beyond the Nations Championship standings, this match sets the tone for both teams’ November. England face Japan and New Zealand next, while Australia travel to Scotland and Wales. A win would give either side momentum for the rest of the window and a stronger position heading into Finals Weekend from 27 to 29 November.
How to Watch
The match kicks off at 2:10am AEDT on Monday 9 November for viewers in eastern Australia. Check your local broadcaster and Rugby Australia’s official channels for live coverage and replays, and follow line-up announcements in the days before the match.
Final Thoughts
This Wallabies vs England Twickenham preview points to a tight, physical contest between two sides still searching for consistency. England have home advantage and won last year’s meeting, but Australia’s 2024 victory proves the Wallabies can win at Twickenham. With Nations Championship points and bragging rights in a famous rivalry on the line, it should be a fitting start to the Spring Tour.
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