Australia 30-28 England: first rugby union Test – as it happened
England #England
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of the first Test of England’s tour of Australia, or as Nadine Dorries might call it, the Challenge Cup final. Kick-off at Perth’s Optus Stadium is 5.55pm local time, which is 7.55pm AEST / 10.55am BST.
This is a wide open series overflowing with context, sharpened by the proximity of the World Cup. For England it features a coach under pressure and the coronation of a new captain, with little time to alter course before France 2023. While for the Wallabies, Dave Rennie was appointed over two years ago but there remains a feeling his side is still in transition.
It is England’s first southern hemisphere tour since the 2018 trip to South Africa, and there will be much to learn. As Rob Kitson writes: “Not since their World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand in 2019 have they registered a real statement win away from Twickenham.”
For the hosts it’s a shot at redemption after suffering a 3-0 whitewash the last time these sides met on Australian soil back in 2016. In all, the Wallabies are on an eight-match losing streak to England, with that record extending to 12 defeats in 14 matches stretching back to 2010. However, victory in Perth would see the Wallabies leapfrog England on the world rankings.
Along with bragging rights and World Cup momentum, the two nations will compete for the newly christened Ella-Mobbs Cup. After previously battling for the Cook Cup, the prize has been renamed after Indigenous Australian and Wallabies great Mark Ella and the former England winger Edgar Mobbs, who died while serving his country in the first world war.
Stick around because we have plenty to get through before kick-off. Correspondents Rob Kitson, Gerard Meagher, and Angus Fontaine have been very busy.
If you want to join in the conversations they have begun, or you have any other thoughts about tonight’s match, the series, or anything rugby league (thanks for the reminder Secretary of State) union, drop me an email or send a tweet to @JPHowcroft.