Underhill’s breakdown battles can offer England way back in Australia

Boil it down to its basics and modern rugby union is a simple game. Win the collisions and boss the breakdown and nine times out of 10 a victory will follow. England’s series hopes in Australia will rest squarely on those key areas this weekend and, specifically, whether they are able to keep the Wallabies’ captain, Michael Hooper, at arm’s length.

The outstanding Hooper seldom has a subpar game and was a key figure in Australia’s successful 14-man rearguard action in Perth. If there was a moment which altered the complexion of the match it came after 56 minutes when, with England ahead by two points, Hooper showed rare strength and timing to secure a one-handed turnover close to his own line.

Seven minutes later Jordan Petaia was scoring at the other end and the momentum was firmly with the Wallabies. With a concussed Tom Curry also having left the fray at half-time, it was Australia who then cranked up the physical pressure with their rejuvenated maul and scrum laying a platform for further scores by Folau Fainga’a and Pete Samu.

Hence the need for England to hit back hard and to dilute Hooper’s influence if they are to salvage the series. Step forward Sam Underhill, who did not feature in Perth but looks likely to have a key role on Saturday. The Bath flanker has not had an easy season, missing all but one of his country’s Six Nations games, but he is now available to bolster England in their latest hour of need.

The 25-year-old Underhill freely concedes England will need to be sharper and smarter around the breakdown: “Ultimately penalties cost us … whether it was more competitive than we thought, I don’t think we adapted to the interpretation at the breakdown. The ref allowed a decent contest and we didn’t adapt to