Wallabies forced to play by World Rugby's rules in England Test at Twickenham

In short:

The Wallabies are without the likes of Will Skelton and Len Ikitau for this weekend's Test against England.

The Test falls outside World Rugby's three-week international window for the release of players from their clubs.

What's next?

ABC Sport will have a live blog of the Wallabies's Test against England on Saturday morning AEDT.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is not concerned about rules prohibiting some of his key overseas-based players from lining up against England at Twickenham on Sunday morning AEDT.

The Test falls outside World Rugby's three-week international window for the release of players from their clubs.

This means the Wallabies must do without European-based players Will Skelton, Len Ikitau, James O'Connor and Tom Hooper.

But England is fielding a full-strength squad, courtesy of an agreement struck between its national governing body, the Rugby Football Union, and its domestic league, the Premiership.

"We always try to favour home-based players anyway," Schmidt told reporters in London.

"We knew that beforehand. It was no different last year. We were in the same position last year and didn't have everyone available.

"It's not really a distraction for us, it's an opportunity. You often get dealt a set of cards and … try to put out your best hand."

Schmidt said the Wallabies had no choice but to respect World Rugby's rules.

"I guess if you're going to choose to play in a foreign competition, they [World Rugby] create the boundaries of that competition," he said.

"So, you have to play by their rules, and World Rugby has very clear rules on when players who are selected for international teams have to be made available."

After resting a host of players in last Saturday's 19–15 win over Japan in Tokyo, Schmidt made eight changes to his starting XV to face England.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen and Fraser McReight are among those to return, while regular captain Harry Wilson will lead the Wallabies after coming off the reserves bench against Japan.

Jake Gordon and Tane Edmed will start in the halves for the third straight Test.

Wallabies squad: Andrew Kellaway, Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Hunter Paisami, Harry Potter, Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon, Harry Wilson (c), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Nick Frost, Taniela Tupou, Billy Pollard, Angus Bell

Reserves: Josh Nasser, Tom Robertson, Allan Alaalatoa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Ryan Lonergan, Hamish Stewart, Filipo Daugunu

Reuters/ABC

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