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England vs Australia: Marland Yarde and Semesa Rokoduguni retained to replace Elliot Daly against Wallabies

One of the two wings will start against Australia after Daly was given a three-week ban for a dangerous tackle in the air on Argentina's Leonardo Senatore last weekend

Wednesday 30 November 2016 09:04 GMT

Marland Yarde (2nd-right) and Semesa Rokoduguni (right) are vying for a place on the wing against Australia (Getty)

Eddie Jones has yet to choose between Semesa Rokoduguni and Marland Yarde over who will start on the right wing for England against Australia on Saturday.

The two are competing to replace the suspended Elliot Daly in the climax to the autumn series at Twickenham and - in an unusual move by Jones - both players have been retained in a 25-man squad ahead of Thursday's team announcement.

The indication from training on Tuesday is that the more experienced Yarde has the edge over Rokoduguni, who was dropped for the 27-14 victory over Argentina after being told he needs to improve aspects of his game if he is to return to Test rugby.

One of the pair will return to his club after the team is named, as will either Dave Attwood or Charlie Ewels with the Bath locks competing for a bench spot against the Wallabies in support of George Kruis and Courtney Lawes.

Nathan Hughes is poised to replace Billy Vunipola at number eight after making a full recovery from a foot injury, with Teimana Harrison continuing as the replacement back row.

Vunipola has been ruled out for at least three months after undergoing knee surgery and could miss the entire RBS 6 Nations.

England trained against a backdrop of tightened security around the perimeter of the high performance centre at their Surrey camp as they continued preparations for their quest to secure a fourth successive victory over Australia.

The players were joined by 2003 World Cup winner Will Greenwood, who performed a tracksuit role in the early part of the session.

England vs Argentina player ratings

Show all 15

1/15England vs Argentina player ratings

England vs Argentina player ratings

Mike Brown – 6 out of 10

His day ended prematurely when he landed head-first after claiming a high Landajo kick. There was no need for an HIA as he was knocked unconscious, and replaced for the rest of the rest of the game by Semesa Rokoduguni.

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England vs Argentina player ratings

Anthony Watson – 6 out of 10

Moved to full-back upon Brown’s departure and while it gave him more space to run in, he wasn’t able to use it. One counter-attack that looked to have legs quickly ended when he passed behind the four men outside him.

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England vs Argentina player ratings

Jonathan Joseph – 6 out of 10

Alert enough to snaffle a loose ball that led to a penalty for England, which Ford turned into three points. Looked the livelier of the two centres, but then that didn’t say a lot.

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England vs Argentina player ratings

Henry Slade – 6 out of 10

One nice chip in behind the Argentine defence proved the highlight, but he aimlessly kicked the ball away soon after half-time and when he had Hughes outside him in space, he threw the ball a long, long way forward. Not the display he will have wanted.

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England vs Argentina player ratings

Elliot Daly – 6 out of 10

Starved of ball in space and didn’t have an awful lot to do. Saw one chance go begging as Watson kicked possession away when he was outside in space.

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England vs Argentina player ratings

George Ford – 6 out of 10

The Twickenham faithful will have feared the worst when his first kick at goal struck the upright, but he soon settled with the boot. His play with the ball in hand was much better, and his pass for Hughes’ try displayed great awareness and execution.

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England vs Argentina player ratings

Ben Youngs – 6 out of 10

Couldn’t link up with Ford as well as we’ve seen in recent times at Welford Road, and kicked possession away far too often in the first 30 minutes. His voice could be heard barking the defensive orders,

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England vs Argentina player ratings

Mako Vunipola – 7 out of 10

Sent backwards and up by Nahuel Tataz Chaparro in one first-half scrum, but his carrying was very good as he burst a couple of tackles in the first period. Found his feet soon after and shored up the scrum, and could be happy with his showing.

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England vs Argentina player ratings

Dylan Hartley – 6 out of 10

His normal reliable self in the lineout, but lost the ball in one carry when he was double-tackled low. Defensively he was reliable though, and departed on the hour for Jamie George, much to the crowds’ delight.

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England vs Argentina player ratings

Dan Cole – 6 out of 10

Penalised midway through the first half that Juan Martin Hernandez failed to turn into three points. His side of the scrum was rock-steady until he lost his binding just shy of the hour mark, and after a couple of good carries he was replaced by Harry Williams 12 minutes from time.

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England vs Argentina player ratings

Courtney Lawes – 7 out of 10

Lovely pass in the first half put Robshaw into space, with the forwards linking well out wide. Good work rate and carrying, and he made a point of getting around the park in support of the backs. He also did well to wrap up Argentinian ball in the maul, which saved England’s line late on.

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England vs Argentina player ratings

George Kruis – 6 out of 10

Ran the lineout to his usual high standards, but will have been disappointed to see the driving maul malfunction when on the Argentine try line. Replaced soon after by Joe Launchbury.

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England vs Argentina player ratings

Chris Robshaw – 7 out of 10

Another of England’s more prevalent figures with his defensive work-rate. Looked to have a bit of niggle in his game, which is unusual, but he contributed to the defensive cause magnificently.

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England vs Argentina player ratings

Sam Underhill – 8 out of 10

A flying start to his Twickenham debut. A ferocious tackler who has mastered the art of going low, and his technique should be shown up and down the country on Sunday morning to all aspiring young rugby players. Shuddering tackle on Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias early-on set the tone, although sometimes he was a little too over-eager and conceded a couple of penalties for a no-arm tackle and being off his feet. Still, he was the best performer out there by far.

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England vs Argentina player ratings

Nathan Hughes – 7 out of 10

Excellent reactions to catch Ford’s long pass, juggling it off his shoulder, before running a good line to score one-handed. Carried strongly all game until he was replaced by debutant Sam Simmonds for the final 10 minutes.

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Prop Joe Marler and full-back Mike Brown did not train due to load management, while Alex Goode return to Saracens with an unspecified 'leg' injury.

England 25-man squad retained to prepare for Saturday's match against Australia at Twickenham:

Forwards (14): D Attwood (Bath Rugby), D Cole (Leicester Tigers), C Ewels (Bath Rugby), J George (Saracens), T Harrison (Northampton Saints), D Hartley (Northampton Saints), N Hughes (Wasps), G Kruis (Saracens), C Lawes (Northampton Saints), J Marler (Harlequins), C Robshaw (Harlequins), K Sinckler (Harlequins), M Vunipola (Saracens), T Wood (Northampton Saints)

Backs (11): M Brown (Harlequins), D Care (Harlequins), O Farrell (Saracens), G Ford (Bath Rugby), J Joseph (Bath Rugby), J May (Gloucester Rugby), S Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby), H Slade (Exeter Chiefs), B Te'o (Worcester Warriors), M Yarde (Harlequins), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

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