In July 2022, England played a three-test series against Australia as part of the 2022 mid-year rugby union tests. They played the Wallabies at three locations across Australia within as many weeks, with the overall winner receiving the Ella-Mobbs Trophy.[1]
Coming into the series, England were ranked in fifth place in the World Rugby Rankings, while Australia sat one place below in sixth.[2] The two nations had most recently contested a test series in 2016, which England won for the first time, with a historic 3–0 "whitewash" on Australian soil.[3]
The 2016 series marked the start of England's eight-match winning streak against Australia, whose most recent victory in the fixture was in the 2015 Rugby World Cup pool stages. However, the first test of the 2022 tour on 2 July ended that streak, as Australia claimed a 30–28 victory in Perth. The following week, on 9 July, England leveled the series with a 25–17 win in Brisbane.[4] In the deciding test on 16 July, England clinched the series, triumphing over Australia by 21–17 in Sydney.[5]
Squads
Note: Ages, caps and clubs are as of 2 July 2022, the first test match of the tour.
England
On 20 June 2022, England head coach Eddie Jones named a 36-man squad for the summer test series against Australia.[6]
On 30 June 2022, Charlie Ewels withdrew from the tour due to a knee injury sustained in training. He was replaced in the squad by Sam Jeffries.[7]
On 4 July 2022 Tom Curry withdrew from the tour due to a concussion sustained in the first test.[8]
On 11 July 2022 Maro Itoje and Sam Underhill withdrew from the squad following concussions sustained in the second test.[9]
Coaching team:
Australia
On 12 June 2022, Australia head coach Dave Rennie named a 35-man squad for the summer test series against England.[10]
On 20 June 2022, Harry Johnson-Holmes joined up with the squad from the Australia A team, as injury cover for Taniela Tupou. However, he later withdrew due to injury, and was replaced by Sam Talakai.
On 24 June 2022, Ned Hanigan also joined up with the squad, as injury cover for Jed Holloway.
On 5 July 2022, Reece Hodge was called up to the squad from the Australia A team, as an injury replacement for Tom Banks.
Coaching team:
Australia
