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England drop Dallaglio

England have left Lawrence Dallaglio out of their starting line-up for Saturday's match against world champions Australia at Twickenham.
  
  


England have left Lawrence Dallaglio out of their starting line-up for Saturday's match against world champions Australia at Twickenham.

Dallaglio, who captained his country 14 times, has been omitted following an ineffective display in the thrilling 31-28 victory over New Zealand.

He would have become the 13th England player to win 50 caps, but those celebrations must now wait as Neil Back returns in a rejigged back-row.

Back reclaims the openside flanker's position, so Richard Hill switches to No8 instead of Dallaglio, and Lewis Moody retains his place after a try-scoring display against the All Blacks.

Dallaglio finds himself on the replacements' bench, alongside fellow Test Lion Danny Grewcock, whose second row place goes to Leicester lock Ben Kay.

It was Kay's superb line-out steal on New Zealand's throw just minutes from time which helped England ultimately fend off a superb All Blacks fightback. Dallaglio and Grewcock apart, England coach Clive Woodward has kept the same side, with centre Will Greenwood selected, despite being forced off at half-time against New Zealand, nursing a dead leg.

Gloucester wing James Simpson-Daniel will win his second cap, while scrum-half Matt Dawson has resisted Andy Gomarsall's strong challenge. Saracens centre Ben Johnston, a half-time replacement for Greenwood, drops out of the England 22.

England, having toppled the All Blacks, are looking to make it 17 Tests unbeaten at Twickenham.

They beat Australia on the Wallabies' last two London visits in 2000 and 2001, and the injury-hit World Cup holders have arrived from Dublin, where they suffered a shock 18-9 defeat against Ireland last Saturday.

 

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