Australia v England: third rugby union Test – live!

Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of the third and final Test between Australia and England. Kick-off at the Sydney Cricket Ground is 7.55pm local time, which is 10.55am in the UK.

At one-apiece in the series there’s all to play for at the historic SCG, a beautiful arena, and one that has not hosted a rugby Test for 36 years, with England’s tourists not making the pilgrimage since 1975. It promises to be a cracking atmosphere with every seat taken for the first rugby international in Sydney since 2020.

After levelling the series in Brisbane last Saturday night England head in with momentum. But despite dominating possession and territory the tourists lacked a cutting edge that almost allowed the Wallabies a comeback.

Neither side are at full strength tonight with injuries decimating both squads. The Wallabies are especially badly hit with only six of the 15 men named to start the first Test remaining in their original jerseys.

“It’s been a pretty brutal series so far,” conceded Australian coach Dave Rennie, “but we’ve had a good week of preparation which will allow us to put in a performance that makes Australians proud on Saturday night. As a squad we have an opportunity to go to Sydney and lift some silverware in a series decider and that’s something that highly motivates us. It’s massive and we’re well aware of that.”

His opposite number Eddie Jones said: “We’ve had a squad of 36 this tour who have competed hard and we’re really proud of their efforts. We go into this Test with a strong squad of 23. It’s a young, inexperienced but together group who have developed well throughout this series. We want to play with purpose and energy to win the series and an historic Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.”

Let’s hope there isn’t another long list of casualties tonight and we’re treated to a finale worthy of the rivalry.

As always there’s plenty to chew over before kick-off. If you want to be a part of it you get in touch via email or tweet me @JPHowcroft if that’s easier.