Australia Hodge, Care recall England’s opening scrum

The Sydney Cricket Ground will be packed to the brim and Hodge’s start on his 55th cap day with the Wallabies will be decisive. He owes his return to injuries to Tom Banks, Jordan Petaya and Andrew Kellaway, who won’t even be part of the 36-man roster.

Dave Rennie has decided to keep Tom Wright and the powerful Marika Koroibet on the wings and form a more solid third row with Harry Wilson, captain Michael Hooper and Rob Vallatini at No8 as Cadine Neville is also injured.

In the front row, pillar James Slipper, 112 picks, will replace Angus Bell, join David Borecki as a hooker and Daniela Duboe on the other side. Australia won the first Test in Perth (30-28), then England responded with a convincing win in Brisbane (25-17).

Australia: Reece Hodge – Tom Wright, Hunter Baisamy, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibet – Noah Lolesio (o), Nick White (m) – Rob Valletini, Michael Hooper (cap), Harry Wilson – Matt Phillip, Nick Frost – Daniela Duboe, David Borecki , James Slipper

Subs: Folau Fainga, Angus Bell, Alan Alalatova, Rob Liotta, Pete Samu, Tate McDermott, Len Igitau, Suliasi Vunivalu

Return of Care

For his part, Eddie Jones made three changes, with scrum-half Danny Care, 35, recalled to replace Jake van Poortivliet. Two other changes will take place up front, recalling Ollie Sessom (Leicester) and Louis Ludlam (Northampton). They replace Maro Idoje and Sam Underhill, who returned home last Saturday after a concussion.

England: Freddie Stewart – Jack Nowell, Guy Porter, Owen Farrell, Tommy Freeman – (o) Marcus Smith, (m) Danny Care – Billy Vunibola, Lewis Ludlam, Courtney Laws (cap) – Johnny Hill, Ollie Sessom – Will Stewart, Jamie George , Ellis Kenge