jonny wilkinson

The Rugby Union heavyweight contest between England and Australia, appears to be all about the return of hero Jonny Wilkinson. The match at Twickenham on Saturday, starts the series of Autumn Internationals for the home nation. England v Australia usually produces a classic encounter, with all of the players up for the task of taking on their bitter rivals. The Aussies have generally had the upper hand when it comes to the big scrum down, but England have pulled out the wins when it has mattered most. They triumphed in the unforgettable 2003 Rugby World Cup Final, and again at the 2007 World Cup semi quarter final stage. There is hardly a better sight in sport than watching the English pack demolish that of the Green and Gold.

For England v Australia betting advice ahead of Saturday’s game, Australia, despite having a couple of injury problems themselves, should be the stronger of the two nations. This is almost a back to square one mission for England manager Martin Johnson, as he looks to reshape English Rugby from the ground up. There is no better place to start than against one of the best teams in the world. England have been ravaged by injury problems, with up to eight probable starters falling victim to one problem or another. This has paved the way for youngsters to step up and show what they are made of, and put pressure on the more established senior players. This is the enthusiasm that Johnson will be looking for in the test, and they will need to settle quickly and learn to trust each other’s abilities.

The calming presence of Wilkinson is vital. He has beaten Australia the past six times he has actually been fit enough to play. The Aussies most vulnerable spot will come at centre, as Stirling Mortlock and Berrick Barnes, the regular pairing, are both missing. Australia will have Matt Giteau playing though, and that’s enough creativity to keep the England backs on the toes, especially full back Ugo Moyne who will be playing out of position there on Saturday. Last year’s Autumn Internationals were a tale of woe for the English, suffering heavy defeats in all three tests against the Tri Nations sides of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

Australia have a good record against England, but this is Twickenham, and it should be a riotous affair. England need to gel quickly and keep good control in the forwards, and build from there. One problem for England in the disappointing six nations earlier this year, was lack of quick ball from the breakdowns, and any creativity whatsoever. Martin Johnson believes that squad is in great mood, and are much better than at the beginning of the year. A good contest for England would be keeping the score to within 5 points, and is a good bet to look for. Australia to win by 1-5 points will fetch 5-1 at Coral

Here are the match prices and interesting bets:

England to win: 15/8 at SportingBet
Draw: 22/1 at ExtraBet
Australia to win: 4/7 at Paddy Power

Australia to win by 1-12 points: 7/4 at Bet365
England to win by 1-10 points: 3/1 at Ladbrokes

Johnny Wilkinson: 17 points or more 13/8 at SkyBet

AUTUM INTERNATIONALS
England v Australia: November 7
England v Argentina: November 14
England v New Zealand: November 21

How Many Games Will England win:
None: 11/2 at Ladbrokes
Exactly 1: 6/4 at Ladbrokes
Exactly 2: 11/8 at Paddy Power
Exactly 3: 12/1 at Paddy Power

Twickenham
Kick Off 2.30 pm

The Rugby Union Autumn Internationals kick off on Saturday, with the home nations taking on some of the best in the World. Martin Johnson’s England has been ravaged by injury, and there are a good seven or eight potential starters which have not even made the squad. This has thrown the selection doors wide open for fringe players and debutants. One famous name though has been selected for the first time since March 2008, and that is the irrepressible uber-hero Jonny Wilkinson. The legend that is Jonny Wilkinson has found a new lease of life this season with his new club, French side Toulon, where he has managed to stay free of injury. After being plagued for six years with injury after injury, Wilkinson has recently stated that he is better than he has ever been. Australia coach Robbie Deans has cited to the press, what a difference having to play against a team with Wilkinson in it will be.

Only three of the 2005 World Cup Winning side remain in the squad, with Wilkinson being one of them, Steve Thompson and Lewis Moody being the others. For followers of England Rugby, there may be a lot of unfamiliar names lining up to take the National Anthem at Twickenham on Saturday. As well as Jonny Wilkinson’s comeback is welcome, hooker Steve Thompson’s return to the full international fold is even more remarkable. After retiring from the game due to a neck injury in 2007 Thompson has rebuilt his career to reach the pinnacle again. The likes of Thompson and Wilkinson, who have bags of experience, will be vital components to balance the youngsters in the squad.

So much change has there been, that from the loss against Australia earlier in the year,  only four members of that team will be on display on Saturday. A lot of the changes have been enforced due to injury, but one would hope that coach Martin Johnson, an England legend in his own right, will be seeing this as the first building block towards the next World Cup. A lot of work has to be done between now and then, and it is a good chance to see how some youngsters are developing, and how they can cope with the pressures on the International stage. The longer that Johnson can keep a cohesive unit together, the stronger England will be.

There will be two debutants on show for England in the starting 15, that of Shane Geraghty, who has been impressive at centre for his club Northampton, and at the back of the pack there will be a new number eight, with Jordan Crane taking up the important role. Two new caps start on the bench, Courtney Lawes and Ayoola Erinle.

The pivotal scrum half shirt will be filled by Harlequins’ Danny Care, who has relegated Paul Hodgson to the bench, while inside centre will be filled by Northampton’s Shane Geraghty, who gets to play alongside Jonny Wilkinson. Geraghty has only made three appearances for England, all as substitute, but he is one of the raw youngsters who are up for the challenge, and will be looking to take their chance while more senior players are out injured.

After the Australia game, there will be two further tests for Martin Johnson’s England, against Argentina and New Zealand to follow over the coming weeks. Australia will be the stronger side, and it will be an immense test for the new look England. The Aussies finished bottom of the Tri-Nations table this year though with just one win, and will be looking to up the stakes of their own development. The home side will need to hear Swing Low Sweet Chariots echoing around the arena for that extra competitive lift, and with the Premiership in full flow, Johnson will be hoping at the very least, for a strong, competitive match, even if the win is out of sight.

England to win: 8/5 at 888Sport
Draw: 22/1 at Paddy Power
Australia to win: 4/7 at Bet365

Betting Tips:
Australia to win by 1-5 points – 5/1 at Coral
Jonny Wilkinson Match Points 17 or more: 13/8 at SkyBet

England Team: M Banahan (Bath), S Borthwick (Saracens, capt), D Care (Harlequins), J Crane (Leicester), T Croft (Leicester), M Cueto (Sale Sharks), L Deacon (Leicester), S Geraghty (Northampton), D Hipkiss (Leicester), L Moody (Leicester), U Monye (Harlequins), T Payne (Wasps), S Thompson (Brive),  J Wilkinson (Toulon), D Wilson (Bath).

Replacements: D Bell (Bath), C Lawes (Northampton), A Erinle (Biarritz), A Goode (Brive),  D Hartley (Northampton), J Haskell (Stade Francais), P Hodgson (London Irish).