England’s preparations for Sunday’s Nations Championship opener against Australia received a significant boost with the news that “Fly-half Smith fit to take on Wallabies”. The 24-year-old playmaker had been a major doubt following a calf injury sustained during Northampton’s defeat to Leicester on October 24.
After missing training sessions earlier in the week, Smith successfully completed a final assessment on Friday. Head coach Steve Borthwick confirmed his inclusion in the starting XV, noting that the fly-half’s presence is vital for the team’s attacking structure. Smith has cemented himself as the primary choice at number ten, having started each of England’s previous five international matches.
The return of Smith provides much-needed stability as England faces a challenging block of four autumn fixtures at Allianz Stadium. While he was sidelined, there was speculation regarding potential replacements, but the coaching staff remained optimistic about his recovery timeline. His selection is part of a refreshed lineup that sees four changes from the side that defeated Argentina in July.
Joining Smith in the starting squad are George Furbank, who returns at full-back after a lengthy injury layoff, and flanker Ben Curry, who is back in the fold after 16 months of fitness struggles. The pack also features Fin Baxter at loosehead prop, while captain Maro Itoje returns to lead the side. With the World Cup looming next year, this series of matches serves as a critical testing ground for Borthwick’s developing squad.
Australia, meanwhile, arrives at Twickenham looking to challenge the hosts with a powerful bench and a rejuvenated backline. While England will be without the injured scrum-half Alex Mitchell for the entire campaign, the availability of Smith provides a key tactical advantage for the opening encounter. The match is scheduled to kick off at 15:10 GMT, marking the start of a pivotal month for English rugby as they aim to refine their game against high-quality southern hemisphere opposition.