London: Winger Rob Horne and flanker Sean McMahon earned recalls to the starting side for the Wallabies’ clash with England at Twickenham on Saturday in their final international of the year.
After two second successive defeats on their Northern Hemisphere tour, against France and Ireland, Australia are under pressure to perform and coach Michael Cheika has tinkered with the line-up.
The match has been given added spice by the fact 2015 World Cup hosts England are in the same pool as Australia at next year’s global showpiece tournament.
Cheika handed Horne his first Test start in two years after the spot was opened up by an ankle injury to centre Tevita Kuridrani.
Veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper will shift infield to replace Kuridrani at outside centre while Horne was picked on the wing ahead of the unlucky Joe Tomane.
Inside centre Matt Toomua — singled out for praise by Cheika in the 26-23 loss in Dublin — and winger Henry Speight retain their places.
McMahon, who made his Test debut against Wales three weeks ago, replaces Luke Jones at blindside flanker after being rested against the Irish last weekend.
He is part of a back-row including captain Michael Hooper and Ben McCalman, locks Sam Carter and Rob Simmons — winning his 50th Test cap — and a front-row of James Slipper, Saia Fainga’a and Sekope Kepu.
In the backs, Nick Phipps and Bernard Foley continue their playmaking partnership alongside Israel Folau, Horne and Speight.
Cheika delayed the naming of his bench, leaving the likes of Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper and Will Genia to sweat on making the final cut.
