Owen Farrell 'very unhappy' to be axed as England captain; Danny Care returns to team against Australia

Eddie Jones has turned to Courtney Lawes to lead England for their first Test against Australia ahead of Owen Farrell with veterans Danny Care and Billy Vunipola also returning to the team. 

Farrell has been Jones’ first-choice captain since 2018 but has lost the role to Northampton flanker Lawes. 

Jones has selected three uncapped players in scrum-half Jack Van Poortvliet, centre Guy Porter and London Irish apprentice Henry Arundell on the bench. Flanker Sam Underhill and scrum-half Harry Randall do not make the match-day squad.

Yet, if the return of 35-year-old scrum half Care - who makes his first Test start in three-and-a-half years - and No 8 Vunipola - who has been in exile for more than a year - represents a return of the old guard, there is a passing of the leadership torch from Farrell to Lawes. Since succeeding Dylan Hartley, Farrell has been England captain for the last four years.

Lawes stood in for him in the autumn and then in the Six Nations when Farrell was absent with ankle injuries and has now kept the role permanently. This will be Farrell’s first England appearance since he first injured his ankle against Australia last November and he starts at inside centre with Marcus Smith and Joe Marchant in the midfield. The back three is composed of Freddie Steward along with wings Jack Nowell and Joe Cokanasiga. 

Lawes lines up with Tom Curry and Vunipola in the back row with Maro Itoje partnering Jonny Hill, who plays his first Test of the year, in the second row. Up front, Will Stuart starts at tighthead in the absence of Kyle Sinckler. 

“We have had very strong preparation for this game,” Jones said. “We did some good recovery work in Fremantle and quality training in Perth. The squad has come together well