England hope Ollie Lawrence’s swap to outdoors centre in opposition to Australia will allow the Bathtub star to convey his ball-carrying energy to the fore on Saturday.
The 25-year-old began at inside centre in England’s opening Autumn Nations Collection defeat by New Zealand, however has been instrumental in Bathtub’s rise to the highest of the Premiership from 13.
Henry Slade beforehand began each Check for England this yr at outdoors centre, and his positional swap with Lawrence was Steve Borthwick’s solely change for Saturday as he seems to be to finish a three-game winless run.
“I would like Ollie to the touch the ball in as a lot area as he can, he’s go-forward for us,” England senior assistant coach Richard Wigglesworth advised BBC Sport.
“I would like the gamers to point out precisely what they’ll do and put their greatest on the pitch.
“The numbers on their again have been interchangeable in some particular transition stuff and the way we are able to get them into the very best positions to point out off their abilities.”
Regardless of being a kick away from beating the All Blacks, Borthwick’s aspect solely managed one breakaway attempt by means of wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.
Lawrence solely made two carries within the sport – the joint-lowest alongside props Ellis Genge and Will Stuart – however he topped England’s deal with stats with 27.
It is going to be the eighth sport in a row each Slade and Lawrence will pair up in England’s midfield and whereas their shirt numbers are altering, each have beforehand swapped positions throughout Check matches.
One standout instance got here throughout this yr’s Six Nations when Slade arrange Lawrence for a significant attempt in opposition to France in Lyon proper earlier than half-time.
The choice was not totally all the way down to the coaches after each England centres raised their views to employees on how a shift may assist get the very best out of their harmful backline.
“We do it anyway, whether it is assault or defence we’re at all times switching about, however there may be extra emphasis this week in me being within the wider channels and it’s one thing we expect we are able to discover,” added Lawrence.
“Credit score to Steve he is given us the inexperienced gentle to provide it a crack.”
