Harry Randall enjoying ‘massive challenge’ as England target Australia whitewash

Harry Randall has urged England to deliver another series whitewash of Australia during next month’s tour.

Eddie Jones has overseen eight successive victories over the Wallabies since becoming head coach at the end of 2015, a sequence that includes a clean sweep of victories across three Tests the following summer.

Randall is battling with Ben Youngs for the role of starting scrum-half when the series begins in Perth on July 2 and the Bristol half-back views the tour as a chance for England to extend their mastery of an old rivalry.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to go out there and hopefully beat them 3-0 again like the boys did in 2016. It’s a massive challenge,” Randall said.

“We’ve had few chats around 2016, what it’s like to go to Australia and about some of the boys’ experiences out there. The 2016 tour was very successful.

“Some of those boys relayed back what it took to be successful out there and what it’ll take again. It’s good to have some of that experience in and around the squad.

“Australia are a newish squad on the rise. What better way to challenge ourselves than against an up-and-coming Australia team? We’ll really look forward to that and embrace it.”

England will warm up for the tour by facing the Barbarians in a non-cap international at Twickenham on Sunday week, their first outing since a disappointing Six Nations when they collapsed to three defeats.

Jones retains the backing of the Rugby Football Union as the countdown to the 2023 World Cup continues but while recent results represent a step backwards, Randall insists team spirit has grown stronger.

“We felt as a squad during the Six Nations that we built something that’s a foundation for us going forward. We believe it will stand us in good