Will Eddie Jones’ latest selection pay off? Second Test talking points

England cannot afford to lose.

England clash with Australia in a must-win second Test at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Saturday having lost the series opener 30-28. Here, the PA news agency examines five talking points heading into a game that could see the Wallabies claim the inaugural Ella-Mobbs Cup.

Eddie rolls the dice

At times England’s selection policy under Jones appears as though it has been put together on a roulette wheel – players talked up and picked, then discarded. This scattergun approach produces debuts for centre Guy Porter and wing Tommy Freeman as Suncorp Stadium, as well as a first start for Jack van Poortvliet, and could be the last that is seen of Joe Marchant and Joe Cokanasiga. It is sink or swim for the latest batch of recruits with Jones wanting to see if they can cut it at Test level.

Jam tomorrow

England reached the 2019 World Cup final only to fall short against South Afri ca (Ashley Western/PA

Porter takes centre stage

Guy Porter's hard running has been a valuable asset for Leicester this season — Guy Porter’s hard running has been a valuable asset for Leicester this season (Will Matthews/PA)

Smash time

Taniela Tupou is a thunderous presence in Australia's back row — Taniela Tupou is a thunderous presence in Australia’s back row (David Davies/PA)

The Suncorp factor

Brisbane is repeatedly referenced as the Wallabies’ “Spiritual home” and a glance at their record since England were the last team to defeat them there in 2016 explains why. Australia have rattled off 10 successive victories including three against South Africa, two against France, two against New Zealand and one against Ireland. It is a genuine fortress that puffs up the Wallabies’ chest before a punch is thrown, adding to the challenge facing England who suffered their heaviest defeat in Test history at the venue – a 76-0 mauling in 1998.