‘I’m stuck in the middle’: England’s Guy Porter on growing up in Australia

It does not take long in Guy Porter’s company to appreciate why Eddie Jones has taken such a shine to him. The Aussie twang is unmistakable but equally there is a stiff upper lip to the centre that illustrates why Jones had no qualms handing him a first cap in Brisbane last week – a match England could ill-afford to lose – in one of the most crucial positions on the field, and why he continues there on Saturday.

Porter is the newest member of the England setup but already – and understandably given his background – he has been swiftly appointed one of the squad’s tour guides. He had been back to Sydney once since leaving Australia for Leicester in 2020 – an unfortunately timed trip that was mostly spent quarantining inside a hotel room – but this week he is in his element, telling the story of his roundabout journey into the heart of England’s midfield in familiar surroundings, just a stone’s throw from the idyllic Coogee beach.

“It’s a funny position where my Australian mates tell me I sound English and all English people tell me I sound Australian,” says Porter, who has been given the nickname “Doc” by his new teammates on account of his initials. “I’m stuck in the middle a bit.” Do not confuse a muddled accent for any conflicted views on lining up for England on debut in Australian rugby’s stronghold against a number of former teammates, however. For while Porter spent his formative years in Australia, moving there aged seven before going on to represent a formidable Sydney University side and earning a spot on the Brumbies roster, he always felt the pull of his English roots.

“There was no reservation. It was something I had thought about in theory, when I re-signed [with Leicester in February] and whether coming