Internationals -03/11/2009
England macth squad
Johnson (pictured) has retained a squad of 22 for the clash at Twickenham and will name his starting XV at midday on Wednesday after delaying the announcement by one day due a spate on injuries to potential England players.
The biggest clues to Johnson's starting XV come with the release of London Irish open-side flanker Steffon Armitage and Northampton full-back Ben Foden, which suggests Johnson will go with Lewis Moody at number seven and either Mark Cueto or Ugo Monye at 15.
Also released are second row pair Nick Kennedy of London Irish and Leicester’s Ben Kay, a strong indication that 20-year-old Northampton prospect Courtney Lawes will be named in the match-day 22 at least, if not the starting XV.
Other squad members not required for the first of three autumn Tests are Bath prop David Barnes, Leicester hooker George Chuter, Harlequins wing David Strettle, back Matthew Tait and Sale team-mate and scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth, and Wasps veteran flanker Joe Worsley.
Chuter’s return to Leicester leaves Johnson with Dylan Hartley, declared fit after a hamstring scare, and Steve Thompson for the hooking duties, while Strettle’s departure indicates that Johnson will go with a back three of Cueto, Monye and Matt Banahan.
Danny Care and Paul Hodgson will cover the scrum-half role after Wigglesworth’s return to Manchester, and will form a half-back partnership with World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson, with Andy Goode providing back-up for the fly-half role.
Either Lawes or Louis Deacon will pack down with skipper Steve Borthwick in the second row, and the back row is likely to see Tom Croft start at blind-side flanker, Moody at seven and either James Haskell or Jordan Crane at number eight.
If Johnson goes with Crane then all three players in the back row will be from his former club Leicester.
After the Wallabies game England face Argentina on November 14 and the All Blacks, also at Twickenham, a week later.
Possible England XV v Australia:
15-Mark Cueto, 14-Matt Banahan, 13-Dan Hipkiss, 12-Shane Geraghty, 11-Ugo Monye, 10-Jonny Wilkinson, 9-Paul Hodgson; 8-James Haskell, 7-Lewis Moody, 6-Tom Croft, 5-Steve Borthwick (capt), 4-Louis Deacon, 3-David Wilson, 2-Dylan Hartley, 1-Tim Payne.
Replacements: Courtney Lawes, Danny Care, Ayoola Erinle, Andy Goode, Duncan Bell, Jordan Crane, Seve Thompson.