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England rugby tour of Australia 2022: When is it, how many fixtures are planned, and how to watch

England rugby tour of Australia 2022: When is it, how many fixtures are planned, and how to watch - CAMERASPORT VIA GETTY IMAGES
England rugby tour of Australia 2022: When is it, how many fixtures are planned, and how to watch - CAMERASPORT VIA GETTY IMAGES

England coach Eddie Jones has recalled scrum-half Danny Care and No 8 Billy Vunipola after lengthy absences in an experienced side captained by Courtney Lawes to take on the Wallabies on Saturday in the first of three Tests.

While the core of the starting side in Perth that will be looking for a ninth straight win over Australia is made up of grizzled veterans, three players could make their Test debuts off the bench - Jack van Poortvliet, Guy Porter and exciting 19-year-old full-back Henry Arundell.

Care was banished to international exile after a disagreement with Jones in 2018 but gets another chance at the age of 35 in the absence of Ben Youngs, while Vunipola will play his first Test since the 2021 Six Nations. His brother Mako also brings 67 caps' worth of experience to the bench in a side that looks set up to muscle the Australians off the park.

Owen Farrell's kicking, both for position and points, will be key to maintaining the pressure on the Wallabies and he was named at centre outside fly-half Marcus Smith, although Jones admitted Farrell was "very unhappy" to be stripped of the captaincy.

"We have had very strong preparation for this game," the head coach said. "We feel we have a well-balanced team which is ready for this improving Australia team. We'll take it to them from the start."

How many Tests are there?

England will travel to Australia for a a three-Test series this month, with fixtures in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney.

When are the matches?

The first Test in Perth is on Saturday July 2, the second Test takes place in Brisbane on Saturday July 9 and the third and final Test will be held in Sydney on Saturday July 16. All three games kick off at 11am BST.

What TV channel are the games on?

The three Tests will be shown live on Sky Sports in the UK. Alternatively, you can follow Telegraph Sport's live coverage of all three matches.

Danny Care returned for England in the non-cap international against the Barbarians - CAMERASPORT VIA GETTY IMAGES
Danny Care returned for England in the non-cap international against the Barbarians - CAMERASPORT VIA GETTY IMAGES

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Owen Farrell was "very unhappy" to be relieved of the England captaincy after Courtney Lawes was placed in charge for Saturday's series opener against Australia in Perth.

For the first time since 2018, Farrell has been overlooked as skipper with Eddie Jones opting for Lawes after the Northampton flanker impressed in the role while deputising during the autumn and Six Nations.

Farrell has made a full recovery from the ankle injuries that have heavily disrupted his season and he features at inside centre, but the news that he would not be leading England out at Optus Stadium came was taken badly.

When asked how Farrell felt about his demotion, Jones replied: "Very unhappy.

"Owen is a bloke who expresses his feelings clearly and he wants to be captain. When I told him he wasn't going to be captain, he wasn't very happy. But that's OK.

"Owen's had a fair while out of the team and at this stage we feel it's the best thing for the team and for Owen, because he's a very important player for us.

"He has played 94 Tests for England and he has won every trophy in the world, apart from the World Cup. He's a pretty fair player and he's a very important player for us.

"We want Owen to be at his best and he's been out of the side for a while, so it's an opportunity for him to play three Tests back to back and produce his best."