Pepper tickles England’s taste buds for Australia with six Lions made to wait | England rugby union team

George Ford has edged Fin Smith in their battle for England fly-half duties against Australia with Marcus Smith missing the Twickenham showdown altogether and Guy Pepper getting a surprise nod in the back row.

Ford will continue in the No 10 jersey he wore throughout the summer tour to Argentina and the United States when Smith, who was first choice during the Six Nations, was involved in the British and Irish Lions tour.

In another significant selection call, Pepper has been chosen ahead of Tom Curry with the Sale flanker one of six Lions named on the bench for Saturday’s Test.

Marcus Smith was part of Andy Farrell’s squad that visited Australia during the summer, but has been overlooked completely with Fin Smith providing playmaker cover from the bench.