Flatley bounces back into Wallabies' side

Elton Flatley, who so nearly dashed England’s dreams in the World Cup final a year ago, has returned to the Australia side for their defence of the Cook Cup at Twickenham on Saturday.

Flatley will start at fly-half in place of Stephen Larkham, who suffered a broken arm against Scotland, as one of three changes made by head coach Eddie Jones following last weekend’s victory in Glasgow.

Stirling Mortlock has returned home with a fractured cheekbone so Morgan Turinui, who was not originally selected in the touring squad, will slot into the three-quarter line at outside centre.

Winger Clyde Rathbone, who scored a hat-trick against England in Brisbane earlier this year, failed to shake a groin injury so Wendell Sailor starts.

"Elton and Wendell both played the majority of the Test last week against Scotland and were impressive when they came on," said Jones.

“For Morgan, he has worked very hard to force his way back into the squad, had a string match against the French Barbarians in Paris and deserves another opportunity at Test level. It was a tough decision between him and Mat Rogers at outside centre.”

Turinui lends more bulk to the midfield that Rogers, who had been expected to start after being cleared of bringing the game into disrepute by an Australian Rugby Union hearing on Monday night.

Turinui has not featured for the Wallabies since the second Test against Scotland in the summer and only arrived in Europe for the Australia A game against the French Barbarians last week.

Rogers has been included amongst the replacements, along with exciting Queenslander Drew Mitchell who can play outside centre or full-back.

Meanwhile Elton Flatley insisted World Cup revenge is not part of his motivation ahead of Saturday’s game.

“These are two different teams. There won’t be a lot of starters in the England team who ran out in the World Cup final,” said the Queenslander. “We have moved on. We are not looking backwards.”

Australia team to play England at Twickenham on Saturday:

C Latham (Queensland); W Sailor (Queensland), M Turinui (NSW), M Giteau (ACT), L Tuqiri (NSW); E Flatley (Queensland), G Gregan (ACT, capt); B Young (ACT), J Paul (ACT), A Baxter (NSW), J Harrison (NSW), D Vickerman (NSW), G Smith (ACT), P Waugh (NSW), D Lyons (NSW). Replacements: B Cannon (NSW), M Dunning (NSW), R Samo (ACT), S Hoiles (NSW), M Henjak (ACT), D Mitchell (Queensland), M Rogers (NSW).