Tane Edmed keeps Wallabies fly-half spot with Carter Gordon’s return put on hold

Tane Edmed will take the Wallabies’ playmaking reins again against England as Carter Gordon’s eagerly awaited return to international rugby union has been put on hold.

Gordon, the eight-Test fly-half who played at the last World Cup for Australia before sensationally leaving the code to sign with the Titans, has secured a release from his NRL deal to join the Wallabies’ tour.

But he is still believed to be struggling with a quad strain picked up in training last week and the 24-year-old has been left out of the team seeking back-to-back wins against England at Twickenham for the first time in 16 years.

Australia are undermanned, hampered by not being able to select key overseas-based stars like their English-based player of the year Len Ikitau, Tom Hooper and James O’Connor, while the hosts are at full strength.

That has prompted criticism that the Wallabies’ bid to move up the World Rugby rankings before December’s draw for their home 2027 World Cup has been unfairly hit, as England are able to play all of their Premiership-based players.

But the Australia coach, Joe Schmidt, fresh from overseeing a hard-fought victory against Japan with very much a second-string outfit, is still confident he has a winning side at his disposal with other big guns back in action.

Tighthead prop Taniela Tupou is back in the starting side for the first time since the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland, while captain Harry Wilson is in the No 8 jersey again, making up a familiar powerful back row with Rob Valetini and Fraser McReight. Waratahs teammates Jake Gordon and Edmed start in the halves for the third straight Test, while Hunter Paisami will link up in midfield with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, back at the scene of his remarkable union debut last year.

Max Jorgensen, last-gasp hero that day with his winning try, features again, while Harry Potter is asked to contribute his bit of magic on the other wing.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has recovered from a rib complaint and will cover at lock, while Nick Champion de Crespingy, captain against Japan, is a back row replacement. “The coaches have tried to balance this year’s tough schedule in terms of Test matches and travel, so it was great to freshen a few players up last week and we hope that allows the group to be really competitive on Saturday,” said Schmidt.