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England revert to 'Bodyline bash' with Billy Vunipola recall

Billy Vunipola of Saracens runs with the ball during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final match between Leicester Tigers and Saracens at Twickenham Stadium on June 18, 2022 in London, England. - GETTY IMAGES
Billy Vunipola of Saracens runs with the ball during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final match between Leicester Tigers and Saracens at Twickenham Stadium on June 18, 2022 in London, England. - GETTY IMAGES

Eddie Jones has brought Billy Vunipola and Danny Care back from international exile after including them in a 36-man squad for England's July tour of Australia. There are also eight debutants in the squad as Jones looks to blend youth and experience.

Telegraph Sport breaks down the key selections for the tour.

Billy Vunipola earns return for another 'Bodyline' bash

Back to the future? Number eight was a position obviously earmarked for regeneration in the autumn of 2021, with Billy Vunipola axed to clear the way for Sam Simmonds and Alex Dombrandt. Best laid plans and all that. Simmonds and Dombrandt are injured for this pivotal series against Australia. Alfie Barbeary, seemingly, is not cutting the mustard since permanently ditching hooker for the back row.

England cycled through three different back-row configurations on Sunday while the Barbarians were running amok. Following the withdrawal of Dombrandt, they started with Callum Chick in between Tom Curry and Sam Underhill. Briefly, we had the trio of Curry, Underhill and Jack Willis. To finish, Courtney Lawes assumed the role of flanker blindside with Curry at the base of the scrum and Willis as openside. Chick does not travel Down Under, yet the others, plus the fierce Lewis Ludlam, do.

Whatever the combination, Jones needs thrust from his forwards and Billy Vunipola has enjoyed a resurgent campaign for Saracens. His performance in the Premiership final against Leicester Tigers, albeit in a losing cause, summoned memories of his vintage best. He married dainty footwork with destructive power on the way to 100 running metres from 25 carries. The 29-year-old slipped past six tacklers, too, and lifted four offloads. Distribution, notably from the tail of the line-out, remains an underrated facet of his game. He also snaffled a breakdown turnover in the shadow of his own posts.

Vunipola junior was phenomenal in 2016 when Jones used ‘Bodyline’ imagery to outline England’s abrasive approach. His selection six years later – as the only specialist number eight with Curry the first contingency – represents a concession that the tourists require a gain-line focal point.

“I thought in the final, he was absolutely exceptional,” said Jones of Vunipola. “He looked like a Test No 8.”

Guy Porter the versatile bolter

There are 12 players involved from the Premiership final and Porter, signed by Leicester from Sydney University to very little fanfare in 2020, will join up with the squad in fantastic form. It is understood that there have been approaches from Australia to bring back the Kensington-born 25-year-old, and Saturday illustrated why.

Resourceful and tough, Porter covers three positions well. For instance, he started the Premiership semi-final against Northampton Saints on the wing before shifting to inside centre after an injury to Dan Kelly. Porter retained the number 12 jersey for the decider, yet moved to outside centre when Matt Scott replaced Matías Moroni for the last quarter. His display was defined by tenacious defence and punchy carrying.

Early on, he clattered Owen Farrell and pounced on the loose ball to earn a turnover. Watch his contribution to the first try. He barged through Jamie George before bouncing off the floor to eke out more metres. Later on, in the second period, he carved off the shoulder of Ellis Genge to puncture Saracens again. Any individual coached by Steve Borthwick – and Porter is clearly among the first names on the team sheet at Tigers – will harbour a sharp understanding of kicking exchanges.

Guy Porter of Leicester Tigers runs with the ball during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final match between Leicester Tigers and Saracens at Twickenham Stadium on June 18, 2022 in London, England. - GETTY IMAGES
Guy Porter of Leicester Tigers runs with the ball during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final match between Leicester Tigers and Saracens at Twickenham Stadium on June 18, 2022 in London, England. - GETTY IMAGES

There are a number of centre options, with Joe Marchant joined by Fraser Dingwall. Jones may need them given both Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade are on the injury list. Tommy Freeman’s presence is interesting, but Porter could be used as a 13 alongside two distributors – such as Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell – or as a hard-carrying 12. Crucially, he has looked suited to the Test environment.

Mix and match but no Alex Mitchell at scrum-half

The scrum-half selection strategy keeps spinning and Alex Mitchell, so sparky for Northampton Saints all season, is the major casualty. Jones explained that Ben Youngs has been “rested” rather than omitted for personal reasons.

Jack van Poortvliet, another young Leicester Tiger, and Danny Care benefit from those calls while Harry Randall stays on despite a chastening experience against the Barbarians. Care represents a safety blanket for Smith and is another survivor from 2016.

Jack van Poortvliet has shared game time with Ben Youngs and Richard Wigglesworth at Leicester. - GETTY IMAGES
Jack van Poortvliet has shared game time with Ben Youngs and Richard Wigglesworth at Leicester. - GETTY IMAGES

Tight-five reinforcements

Jones confirmed that Joe Marler was overlooked rather than rested, which must have been a difficult call because England’s tight game has to be imposing. Mako Vunipola, Ellis Genge and Bevan Rodd are the looseheads with Patrick Schickerling joining Joe Heyes and Will Stuart in the tighthead stable. Jack Walker deservedly jumps a queue at hooker to join Luke Cowan-Dickie and Jamie George, whereas Ollie Chessum and Nick Isiekwe add athleticism to the lock stocks.

Of those names, Genge has grown into a valuable leader and Heyes could surprise people if given a chance. Jones was also eager to compliment Walker, a skilful operator, for moments of quality amid Sunday’s carnage. If Cowan-Dickie is not ready for the first Test on July 2, the Harlequin can step up.