England

Speaking prior to the news of Wood’s injury, former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie said he was “concerned about the robustness” of England’s attack.

“Do they have enough work in the bank to be fit and strong enough to bowl consistently high pace across the course of a whole match and then back it up in subsequent matches?” Gillespie told Stumped on BBC World Service.

“That is the big question mark for me.”

Wood’s absence would be keenly felt by England in the day-night conditions at the Gabba – a ground where they have not won since 1986.

England have a poor record in floodlit Tests, having won only two of their previous seven, including three defeats in Australia.

Australia have won 13 of their 14 day-night matches and, in Mitchell Starc, have the best pink-ball bowler in the world.

The pink ball does not behave differently to its red counterpart, but can be harder to see under lights.

Part of Starc’s success in pink-ball matches is the number of deliveries he bowls over 87mph and Wood, England’s fastest option, took nine wickets when he last played a day-night Test against Australia in Hobart in 2022.

Speaking on the For The Love of Cricket podcast, former England seamer Stuart Broad said: “There’s something about the pink ball, you just can’t pick it up quite as well. You get no clues as well, so the seam is black against the pink background, whereas with a red ball and white seam you might see Mitchell Starc’s in-swinger coming back into the stumps or scrambling around.

“It’s just the lights are reflecting off the pink ball so it’s almost like a big planet coming flying towards you.

“It means you’re just judging it from the movement off the surface or reading off the movement of the ball, but at such pace it’s quite difficult to do.”

England had given themselves an outstanding opportunity after four sessions of the first Test. At 65-1 in their second innings, the visitors had a lead of 105 runs.

But England lost their last nine wickets for 99 runs, including a calamitous spell of 3-0 when all of Ollie Pope, Harry Brook and Joe Root were dismissed driving at the ball.

The collapse has led to more questions of England’s attacking style. Though Stokes pointed to the aggression of Australia’s Travis Head, who made the second-fastest century in Ashes history to lead the home side to victory, the England skipper accepted his team could have been “a lot better”.

“The important thing we need to do as a team and individuals is learn from it,” said Stokes. “We have identified those moments and spoken about them as a group.

“In terms of execution, could we have been better at executing what we want to do? Definitely.

“Sometimes when you go out there and make a decision, it doesn’t always pay off, or work the way you want it to. That’s the key for the rest of this tour, staying true to the beliefs of how we play our cricket, but also we do know we could have been a lot better in certain ways.”

England had won only one of their 17 previous Tests when Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum took over the in 2022.

The upturn in results and breathtaking style of cricket rebuilt a connection with supporters, a connection that has been tested in the past week. Many of those travelling to Perth spent vast sums of money, only to see England beaten in the first two-day Ashes Test for 104 years.

“We know that there’ll be a lot of disappointed fans after that first defeat,” said Stokes. But it’s a five-game series, we’ve got four games to go.

“We’ve lost the first one – we’re absolutely desperate to come home with that goal from before we started the series, which is to win the Ashes, and doing absolutely everything within our powers and using our time best to allow us to go out there and try and achieve that goal.”

Perfect for a winter staycation this English rural village has featured in a number of high-profile films including War Horse, Doctor Dolittle, Stardust and The Wolf Man.

A village tucked away in the stunning Cotswolds has been dubbed as “idylic” and hailed as the “most beautiful village in England”.

Tucked away in a leafy valley in the Cotswolds, Castle Combe is frequently dubbed the “prettiest village in England” and it’s not hard to see why.

For winter it offers the perfect getaway for an enchanting and festive vacation, stepped in medieval history and architecture.

With history dating all the way back until the 12th century, Castle Combe dates back to the Middle Ages and is steeped in history and folklore.

According to a visitors guide from The Crown Inn pub in the village, and reported by The Express, the charming village has become a firm favourite for people from far and wide.

Not only does Castle Combe have a rich and full history, it’s a popular filming spot for films and TV dramas including War Horse, Doctor Dolittle, Stardust and The Wolf Man.

Often providing the backdrop for period dramas and historical films, Castle Combe has honey-coloured cottages built from local stone – and these ancient buildings are still one of the village’s most distinctive features today.

Remarkably, Castle Combe was particularly known for producing a red and white cloth called “Castlecombe”, which was highly sought after in the markets of Bristol, Cirencester, London and even overseas.

In the 15th century, King Henry VI granted Castle Combe the right to hold a weekly market, and the unmistakable Market Cross monument still stands tall today.

Now as a historical village, it’s not surprising that Castle Combe is fiercely protective of its aesthetic. This includes putting a strict ban on modern attachments such as TV dishes and external wires on the exteriors of its houses, with these restrictions playing a key role in preserving the historic village’s authentic appearance.

The church also houses a faceless clock which is said to be one of the oldest working clocks in the country.

For those less interested in history, the village also has plenty to offer. Visiting Castle Combe in winter offers an enchanting experience with its picturesque, frozen scenery, crisp air, and inviting atmosphere.

You can enjoy winter walks, explore quaint shops, and warm up in pubs and tea rooms with hearty meals. It’s the perfect place for a cosy getaway over the winter months and for celebrating the New Year in style.

England just about rode out a second-half fightback from Argentina as an eye-catching Twickenham debut from Max Ojomoh helped extend their winning streak to 11 successive Tests.

Ojomoh scored one try and made another with a crossfield kick in the first half as England stretched out into a 17-3 lead at the break.

Their advantage could have been even more emphatic had hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie not had a try ruled out for a slight knock-on on the final play of the first half.

Argentina, who fought back from 21 points down to beat Scotland last weekend, crowbarred their way back into the contest though.

Justo Piccardo slid in before a pair of penalties from Tomas Albornoz and Santiago Carreras reduced the deficit to 17-16 on the hour.

But England seemed to recapture the momentum just in time.

A big break from Alex Coles set up a platform from which Ojomoh popped up for Henry Slade to stroll in under the posts.

George Ford’s conversion and penalty pushed England 11 points clear, only for Rodrigo Isgro’s converted try in the final minute to set up a grandstand last play.

The Pumas, needing a try to snatch victory, pounded away, with support from a small but loud collection of fans in the stands.

However, a final line-out, within 10 metres of the England line, went astray to wild cheers from the majority of the 80,807 spectators and Alex Mitchell kicked to the stands to ensure his England side successfully round off a 2025 that has featured only one defeat, a reverse against Dublin in February.

More to follow

During a Test against South Africa, Smith admitted Australia’s “leadership group” devised a plan to tamper with the ball.

Former opener David Warner taught batter Cameron Bancroft how to use sandpaper to rough up the ball, and Bancroft was then caught doing so by TV cameras during play. Both men were also banned along with Smith.

Smith made his comeback after the ball-tampering episode in the 2019 Ashes Test at Edgbaston and has been booed repeatedly since.

England fans also base taunts on his tearful news conference in 2018.

“We did the wrong thing, accept it and move on,” Lehmann said.

“You try to move on the best you can. You get reminded every day and that is part and parcel.

“Steve Smith can hold his head high with how he handles everything.

“The Barmy Army should be better than that. Most of them are and are very supportive of what goes on in the game.”

The baggage is unavoidable.

So Clarin, Argentina’s biggest newspaper, steered straight into it instead.

In the first two lines of their preview of Sunday’s match, “history, politics, the Falklands War and England’s persistent imperialist views” were all referenced., external

The story of a teenage Federico Mendez ironing out England second row Paul Ackford with a blindside haymaker 35 years ago was retold.

On Thursday, Franco Molina threw in another piece of the Anglo-Argentine back story.

“It was a goal, the referee gave it, it was a goal!,” the Argentina second row said, recalling Diego Maradona’s contentious ‘Hand of God’ goal in the 1986 quarter-final meeting at the football World Cup.

But it was all with a smile.

If all that history is being brewed up as pep-talk kerosene, Molina, who spent last season playing for Exeter, hid it well.

For him there was too much to get excited about in the 80 minutes to come, without dredging up the past.

“It is a big game, just because of the context of the international game,” he said.

“It is really special playing at Twickenham.

“It is going to be a really physical game and every English team is tidy in what they do, all the kicks from the field, all the play with the ball in hand.

“We will need to be really connected and precise across the whole 80 minutes to beat them.”

Travis Head’s blistering century completes an astonishing eight-wicket win for Australia in the first two-day Ashes Test since 1921, as England suffer a crushing defeat in the first 2025 Ashes Test in Perth.

MATCH REPORT: Head leads Australia to crushing defeat of England

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Travis Head’s 69-ball century in Perth helps Australia take a 1-0 series lead against England in the Ashes.

Makeshift opener Travis Head smacked an explosive 69-ball century to power Australia to victory in a high-octane first Ashes Test on Saturday as England meekly surrendered in the Perth Stadium cauldron.

Chasing 205 to win, Head slammed 123 as the hosts romped home on the second day by eight wickets in an electric start to the five-match series. Marnus Labuschagne was not out on 51, and Steve Smith was on two.

Head’s heroics came on the back of a blistering spell from the marauding pace pair Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc after lunch that prompted a stunning England collapse.

The tourists were cruising at 65-1 and building an ominous second-innings lead, but Boland and Starc left them reeling with four wickets in as many overs.

A ruthless Boland accounted for Ben Duckett (28), Ollie Pope (33) and Harry Brook (0) in the space of 11 balls, then two deliveries later, Starc sent Joe Root packing for eight.

When Starc removed skipper Ben Stokes (2), England were flailing at 88-6 and the veteran paceman had bagged a 10-wicket haul for only the third time after his first innings 7-58, a career-best.

England were partially rescued by a crucial 50-run stand between Gus Atkinson (37) and Brydon Carse (20) before being rolled for 164 at tea.

When they returned, Usman Khawaja again failed to show as an opener as he battles back stiffness, with Australia signalling their intent by sending in Head.

Head, who has opened nine times previously in Test cricket, quickly got into his destructive rhythm, crunching some lovely boundaries, including big sixes off Carse and Mark Wood.

He made it look easy, making a mockery of the struggles other batsmen had on the bouncy track, bringing up his half-century in 36 balls, passing 4,000 Test runs in the process.

Looking to emulate him, debutant Jake Weatherald also went on the attack, but it cost him, out for 23 after a mistimed pull shot was taken by Ben Duckett off Carse.

An unruffled Head kept the pressure on, slamming four boundaries in one Stokes over and sending a six back over the head of Jofra Archer on his way to a 10th Test century.

He eventually fell to Carse, going for another big hit.

Starc stars

Australia resumed on a paltry 123-9 in their first innings and added just nine before Nathan Lyon was removed by Carse for four to leave England with a 40-run advantage.

Stokes was the star of the show, claiming 5-23 off just 36 balls to give England a golden opportunity to win a Test in Australia for the first time since the 2010-11 series.

They had all been out for 172 at the hands of Starc on day one.

Australia were banking on the 35-year-old to emulate his exploits in the second innings, and he whipped the sold-out Perth Stadium crowd into a frenzy when he removed Zak Crawley in his first over.

The veteran consigned Crawley to a pair, diving to his left in an incredible feat of athleticism for a memorable caught-and-bowled.

Duckett and Pope settled in, safely reaching lunch at 59-1.

But Scott Boland began to find his radar when they returned.

Duckett edged to Steve Smith in the slips, then Pope did the same to wicketkeeper Alex Carey before Brook repeated the feat to Khawaja.

After a first innings duck, Joe Root was desperate for runs, but he was no match for the relentless Starc, dragging a thick edge onto his stumps to cap a miserable start to the series.

Brendan Doggett then cleaned up Jamie Smith (15), Carse and Archer (5).

AS the nights draw in and the festive season gets closer, many of us are looking forward hanging up some Christmas lights.

But it’s not just the halls that get decked.

Many gardens and unique spaces across the country transform into glimmering wonderlands – the perfect places to get in the festive spirit.

Here are 12 of the most magical light shows that are set to illuminate England with holiday cheer this winter.

Kew Gardens, London

Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026 (selected dates)
Tickets: Adults £27.50, children £18, under 4s free

Year on year, the light trail at Kew Gardens is firm favourite of the seasonal calendar.

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Christmas at Kew is a true spectacle, illuminating the UNESCO World Heritage site with sustainable LED lights and installations by leading artists.

Visitors can enjoy projections and music dotted all around the natural space, including at iconic spots like the Palm House fountain.

The three kilometre trail has a range of entertainment beyond lighting too.

Spot Father Christmas on your walk and enjoy delicious treats from food stalls along the route.

Last entry is between 7-8pm and tickets are limited, so book while you can.

Longleat, Wiltshire

Dates: November 8, 2025 – January 11, 2026
Tickets: Adults £34.95, children £26.20, under 3s free

Longleat is usually famous for its drive-through safari park, but come Christmastime it is its light show that really shines.

The trail displays thousands of imaginative lanterns, this year celebrating the theme of British Icons.

Look out for Wallace & Gromit, various British singers and authors, and landmarks like Tower Bridge and Stonehenge all aglow.

A Twilight ticket will give you access to this Festival of Light plus the Enchanted Christmas Tree Show, but you can also upgrade to a Day ticket to include the safari or book a ride on the Santa Train as an add-on.

Dunham Massey, Cheshire

Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Tickets: Adults £19, children £12.50, under 3s free

Just outside Manchester lie the stunning grounds of Dunham Massey, a Grade I listed building and National Trust property.

Its light show is an after-dark experience complete with sparkling trees and colourful, 5m-tall stars.

Expect an immersive evening of sights and sounds created by award-winning producers, and the option to enjoy the fairground for an extra charge.

Entry is timed, so securing a slot is advised.

Winter Glow, Worcestershire

Dates: November 21 – December 31, 2025
Tickets: Adults £12.50, children £6.50, under 3s free

Local craftspeople and lighting designers are behind the show at Winter Glow in the Worcestershire countryside.

The trail is transformed into a winter dreamland with twinkling bulbs and fairytale structures.

It’s a super accessible experience, with sensory-friendly trails available on selected dates, dog friendly sessions on offer and full wheelchair access.

Northern Lights, Newcastle

Dates: November 27 – December 31, 2025
Tickets: Adults £15, children £5, under 3s free

Winding along the mile-long path at Leazes Park in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne is fun for all the family.

Take in its 15 different illumination zones from Lantern Lane to the Butterfly Blizzard, and even a marshmallow roasting station.

More winter warmers are available from the park’s Christmas Village, access to which is included in the ticket price.

Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Tickets: Adults £24, children £18, under 3s free

This year, the illuminated trail at Blenheim Palace promises to be “bigger, better and brighter than ever before”.

The light show has already earned a place as one of the UK’s most popular trails.

Visitors can buy a combined ticket to access both the light trail and the palace or a ticket for the illuminations only.

Allow around an hour to explore the route, with extra time factored in to meet Father Christmas along the way or to stop at the chalet-style huts for tasty food and drink.

Helmingham Hall, Suffolk

Dates: November 14 – December 19, 2025
Tickets: Adults £20, children £10, under 2s free

Helmingham Hall’s gardens and parkland attract visitors all year round.

Where its flowers bloom in spring, lights glint in winter along the illuminated garden trail.

The mesmerising experience takes place after dusk, when you’ll cross a historic drawbridge and weave through shining walkways.

If that isn’t enough reason to go, grown-ups can enjoy a complimentary mulled wine with their ticket while kids can toast snacks at the firepits along the route.

And if you have a pooch, you can can bring them too.

Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool

Dates: November 28 – December 6, 2025
Tickets: Adults £9.50, children £7.50, under 3s free

The Light Before Christmas comes to Liverpool Cathedral for a fourth year running, and attending the show has become a yuletide tradition in the city.

As they journey through the building, ticket-holders will find enchanting scenes ranging from the nativity to Santa’s reindeer, plus candlelit areas.

There are even bean bags to lie on to take in the acoustics of Britain’s biggest cathedral and marvel at the projections on the ceiling.

A visitor last year said: “It’s the perfect thing to get you in the mood for Christmas”, while another commented: “I come every year and it’s always beautiful.”

Kids are also big fans of the event, with one saying: “It was really Christmassy and magical.”

Hever Castle, Kent

Dates: November 21, 2025 – January 2, 2026
Tickets: Adults £24.50, children £16, under 5s free

Follow the yellow brick road to Hever Castle for a themed light extravaganza.

This year the castle will be decked out in all things Wizard of Oz.

From spotting the flying monkeys in the Christmas tree forest to arriving at the Emerald City as the castle glows bright green, it promises to be an other-worldly visit.

Hever has traditional Christmas offerings too, with log fires burning inside the beautifully decorated rooms of the castle and fairy lights glittering in the grounds.

And don’t worry – despite being in Oz and not Lapland, little ones will still be able to pay a visit Father Christmas’ grotto.

Fairground ride tickets are just £2 each and can be purchased on the day.

Stockeld Park, Yorkshire

Dates: November 22, 2025 – January 5, 2026
Tickets: Adults & children £17.50, under 2s free

The Enchanted Forest at Stockeld Park transforms for the Christmas season.

Its woodland boasts interactive adventure playgrounds as well as an enormous snowflake-shaped maze made from 2,000 trees and lined with glistening lights.

After getting lost in the maze – which is included in the ticket – you can stop by cosy cabins in the woods for a hot chocolate and explore animations and soundscapes further along the trail.

Light Up Trails, Hampshire

Dates: November 27, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Tickets: Adults £20, children £12.50, under 2s free

Nestled among the greenery between Winchester and Southampton you will find a dazzling light display with all the trimmings.

The trail is divided into eight zones, each one offering a different feast for the eyes.

Catch the fibre-optic flowers in the Bloom and Glow zone, golden lanterns at Step into the Magic and a laser show at The Rhythm of Light.

Halfway along the trail you can warm up at its ski-themed Christmas Village and indulge in food from bratwurst to crepes.

Ashridge House, Hertfordshire

Dates: November 27, 2025 – January 1, 2026
Tickets: Adults £23.50, children £14.40, under 4s free

Ashridge House was once a royal residence of King Henry III, and its grounds are referred to to by insiders as the ‘Garden of Gardens’.

The stately home puts on a proper show at Christmas, where gentle gleaming lights meet impressive pyrotechnics and festive music.

A 115ft Ferris wheel gives you sweeping views of the 190 acres of garden below – book this at the online checkout.

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On the ground, showstoppers include the star-shaped tunnel and giant bauble field.

Dog-friendly nights are on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Coach Brendon McCullum believes his England team are ready for an Ashes series that could “define” them.

McCullum and captain Ben Stokes have revitalised the England Test team since taking charge in 2022.

The New Zealander said they have been “building to this moment”, with the first Test against Australia in Perth beginning on Friday (02:20 GMT).

In his only interview since arriving in Australia, McCullum told BBC Sport: “There’s nothing bigger than what we’re about to come into.”

Speaking to Test Match Special commentator and former England spinner Phil Tufnell, McCullum added: “This team has been together for a good couple of years and we have been building towards this moment.

“It is the biggest stage and it is the brightest lights. It is a series that could define teams, the people and players within it. That’s OK.

“You know you’re ready, you know you have the game to compete at this level. Stay together, play the style you have become accustomed to and we’ll see in a couple of months where we land.”

England are due to confirm their XI for the first Test on Thursday, with spinner Shoaib Bashir likely to miss out from the 12-man squad named on Wednesday.

That would mean the tourists will field a five-man pace attack, probably the fastest group of bowlers they have ever put together for a Test match.

“I’m super excited and probably a little bit more relaxed now than I was a few weeks ago,” said former New Zealand captain McCullum.

“We’ve got our team to the start line. I feel like our horse is going to run well. Whether we find another horse in the race that is better than us, who knows.”

England had won only one their previous 17 Tests, including a 4-0 defeat on their last Ashes tour, when McCullum and Stokes united in the summer of 2022.

They revolutionised England’s style of play, built a new team with a number of young players and earned impressive series wins at home against New Zealand and South Africa, then again against the Kiwis and Pakistan.

But England have not managed a victory in a marquee five-Test series against either Australia or India, including a 2-2 draw in the last home Ashes in 2023.

England have not won a single Test in Australia since their last series win in this country 14 years ago. Only five England teams have won Ashes series in Australia since World War II.

In a cagey first quarter, both sides struggled to keep hold of the ball but the Roses edged a 14-11 lead.

The Silver Ferns quickly closed that gap in quarter two as England were punished for their sloppiness and errors began to accumulate.

Head coach Jess Thirlby shuffled the attack end to try to change the momentum, Helen Housby replacing Olivia Tchine at goal shooter as England lacked the potency under the post they had shown in game two.

But the hosts could not prevent New Zealand turning the tables and taking a two-goal lead into half-time.

England rallied after the break, much to the delight of an enthusiastic home crowd, as London Pulse defensive duo Halimat Adio and Funmi Fadoju worked hard to win the ball back and Housby and Lois Pearson combined well in the shooting circle.

But the Roses let things slip in the final couple of minutes of the third quarter, losing their way and allowing New Zealand to take a 42-38 lead going into the final period.

Fadoju claimed a loose Silver Ferns pass early in the final quarter as England tried to claw back the deficit. But defensive hard work was not always rewarded with goals at the other end as New Zealand further stretched their lead.

Shooter Grace Nweke, who has enjoyed a fruitful series, was consistent under the post while Maddy Gordon shone at centre.

Thirlby made changes in attack but no combination had the desired effect and the Roses could not close the gap.

They will face Jamaica in December before taking on South Africa in January as they continue to build up to the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Centre Henry Slade said that the quartet spent “about 45 minutes”, external coordinating their routine in his hotel room.

While it is not clear if Freeman’s video was imposed or motivated by joy after only England’s ninth win over the All Blacks in a 120-year rivalry, Elliot Daly, who is part of the team’s fines committee alongside Jamie George, said similar footage exists of other players.

“There are a few fines going around that are TikTok dances,” he told the BBC’s Rugby Union Weekly.

“If you do something wrong, you do a TikTok video. Although it doesn’t have to go on TikTok.”

Steve Borthwick is one of those relieved about that final get-out clause. The head coach has been roped in for a cameo on one video that has, so far at least, not been shown beyond the team room.

“There has been a lot of laughter, a lot of very bad dancing – I think that is one of the better ones,” Borthwick said of Freeman, Steward, Pollock and Smith’s effort.

“I was asked to make a guest appearance in someone else’s TikTok dance, so there was a very limited role to play in one.

“The team saw it and that is as far as it is going!”

England take on Argentina on Sunday in their final match of 2025, seeking an 11th straight victory.

The shiny new Optus Stadium replaces the famous WACA – or Western Australian Cricket Association Ground – as the premier Test venue in Perth and will host the first Test of the 2025-26 series.

Perth has hosted plenty of memorable Ashes moments, with metal bats, blistering centuries and rare England wins all featuring in our quiz.

Although a number of England Ashes triumphs at home and abroad have been built on pace, they have never fielded as many express pace bowlers in the same team.

The side that won at home in the famous series of 2005 included Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff.

Raymond Illingworth’s triumphant visitors to Australia in 1970-71 had Bob Willis, Peter Lever and John Snow, and the England team that won in 1954-55 included Brian Statham and Frank ‘Typhoon’ Tyson.

Perhaps England’s most famous Australian tour of all, the 1932-33 Bodyline series, caused diplomatic tensions between the two countries for a short-bowling plan designed to unsettle the great Don Bradman.

On this occasion – one of the most eagerly anticipated Ashes series in recent memory – England are looking to reverse an awful record – they have not won a Test in Australia since 2011.

Only five members of the 16-man squad have played a Test in Australia, but Atkinson says that could work in England’s favour.

“It could be an advantage,” he told BBC Sport. “There are a lot of players who have said they have had some tough times here in Australia.

“For us, we are a very relaxed, very positive group. No scarring. It’s very exciting. We all see it as a huge opportunity to do something special.”

Australia’s net session on Wednesday was briefly delayed by the threat of lightning.

The home side are expected to give a debut to opener Jack Weatherald, with uncapped pace bowler Brendan Doggett also coming in following injuries to captain Pat Cummins and and fellow seamer Josh Hazlewood.

Hooker Jamie George, wing Tom Roebuck and centre Ollie Lawrence have been ruled out of Sunday’s match against Argentina as England’s tough autumn stretches the squad.

All three started the 33-19 win over New Zealand last weekend, but George and Lawrence picked up hamstring injuries while Roebuck has a foot problem.

Two other regulars, lock Ollie Chessum and centre Tommy Freeman, are again unavailable after missing the victory over the All Blacks.

Hooker Jamie Blamire, second row Charlie Ewels and uncapped teenage wing Noah Caluori come into the squad as Steve Borthwick’s side target an unbeaten autumn.

Caluori, who was named in England’s initial autumn internationals squad, scored in England A’s win over Spain on Saturday.

Argentina are in London this week after cruising past Wales and then coming back from a big deficit to stun Scotland in Edinburgh last Sunday.

Fly-half George Ford, who masterminded a 2-0 series win in Argentina in the summer, says England will be expecting a tough time against the Pumas.

“I know first-hand from being there in the summer how good a team Argentina are,” Ford told BBC Sport.

“They are an incredible, emotional and passionate team and we will have to make sure we get our prep right for that.”

Meanwhile, full-back Freddie Steward is available for selection despite failing a head injury assessment in the first half against the All Blacks.

The Rugby Football Union says Steward passed both his second and third HIAs, so is cleared to play this weekend.

In that first Test of 2010 we conceded a first-innings deficit of 211 runs. 35,000 Australians were stamping their feet in the vast concrete stadium baying for English blood in a procession toward another Australian win.

Alastair Cook, Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott famously pushed back against the noise to amass 517-1 in our second innings. The Test was drawn, but it felt like we had won.

You could feel the rhetoric towards us change. The people who had taken great joy in telling us we were going to be annihilated were slowly starting to say how they respected the way we had fought back and that they loved seeing the competition.

Planning is important, but so is living in the moment. Too many times England teams have gone to Australia with pre-conceived ideas about the conditions they are going to face.

Being able to read the conditions and adapt is crucial. At the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2010, David Saker, the England bowling coach, had absolute conviction bowling first was the way to win the Test.

We bowled Australia out for 98 and won by an innings. Being bold with decision-making will serve England well.

Finally, luck is also a huge part of being successful in Australia.

In 2010 Australia didn’t have a set spinner, there were question marks around the great Ricky Ponting coming towards the end of his career and uncertainty about the seam bowlers.

Australia picked a 17-man squad for the first Test, more players than we had for the entire three-month tour to the country. Catching Australia in a period of transition can be critical.

On this occasion, injuries to Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood have given England an opportunity to face an Australia team with the cracks maybe just starting to show for the first time since 2010.

There are many challenges that come with playing in an away Ashes series, on and off the field.

The stars may just be aligning for England to have a real crack at winning in Australia for the first time in 15 years.

Wiegman said she “can’t control” what Earps says or feels about her decisions but the England coach emphasised she made the decisions to give the side the best chance of success.

England take on China at Wembley Stadium on 29 November before hosting Ghana at St Mary’s Stadium on 2 December.

The media conference to announce her squad was dominated by questions about Earps and Wiegman joked it would be “nice to talk about football”.

The return of Manchester City forward Lauren Hemp and midfielder Grace Clinton are the headline stories in Wiegman’s 25-player squad for the friendly matches.

But former Netherlands coach Wiegman accepted that dealing with adversity is part of her high-profile role.

“Of course you hope that things are always positive but that’s not how things work in football when you’re so visible,” she said.

“It’s just the situation and you’re trying to deal with it in the best positive way, solve whatever needs to be solved, and move forward.

“I make decisions on what I think is the best for the team to compete in the next camp or the next tournament – and I make decisions to win.”

Wiegman was also asked if she was disappointed that Earps said her affinity to the Lionesses manager was “destroyed” and her “trust and respect was evaporating”.

“I don’t think I can change that. What I just try to be is as honest as possible and have a very good working relationship, which is what I think we had,” she added.

“I can’t control other things. I just stick with what I want to do, how I want to do it and try to be as clear and honest as possible to make decisions to win.

“I always keep conversations private. I share things here [in the media] but when I have individual conversations I keep that private as that builds trust.

“If I do that then players will come to me and have conversations with me. That’s my approach. We create an environment where we want people to be themselves.”

Chelsea goalkeeper Hampton is not in the squad for the final two England matches of the year after picking up a thigh injury.

The 24-year-old won the Yashin Trophy for best goalkeeper at this year’s Ballon d’Or awards, and was one of the standout performers at Euro 2025.

Wiegman confirmed she had spoken with Hampton following Earps’ book release but did not go into details on their conversations.

“I spoke to Hannah. I speak to players in between camps anyway. Unfortunately, she is injured now. But I did speak to her, yes,” added Wiegman.

“What the content of that conversation was, as always, I’ll keep private.”

Equal access to sport and exercise could help tackle an estimated £20bn shortfall in the public finances, according to Sport England.

Before next week’s Budget, the funding agency says new research highlights “the critical role” physical activity plays in supporting public finances and economic growth.

But it also warns inactivity is costing a “staggering” £20bn a year and has called for more investment in sport.

It claims that is the amount in healthcare savings, productivity gains and improved wellbeing that could be unlocked if the least active groups in society – such as those with disabilities, on lower incomes and black people – were supported.

Earlier this year, Sport England found 67% of the adult population were meeting the chief medical officers’ recommended guidelines, external for weekly physical activity – a record high. But it warned more needed to be done to tackle inequalities.

At the time, the government said tackling inactivity was “at the heart of our preventative health agenda”.

Sport England also says its research found grassroots sport and exercise boost the economy by £36bn every year through employment opportunities, volunteering, facilities and equipment.

And it calculates that for every £1 invested in the sector, £4.38 is generated for people and the public purse, via savings to the NHS, chronic illness prevention, improved workforce productivity, and enhanced health and happiness.

In addition, £14bn in tax revenue is generated by grassroots sport and exercise every year: a return of approximately six to seven times the public investment in sport and exercise.

“It’s shocking that inequalities in activity levels cost the public purse nearly £20bn every year,” said the chair of Sport England, Chris Boardman.

“Inactivity is quietly draining our economy, health system and our communities – but we can change that.

“Excitingly, the solution is right in front of us: movement. With a return on investment of more than four to one, billions can be saved in healthcare, our workforce will be more productive and quality of life improved for millions.”

Earlier this month, the chancellor Rachel Reeves warned she would make “necessary choices” in the Budget after the “world has thrown more challenges our way”, and did not rule out a U-turn on Labour’s general election manifesto pledge not to hike income tax, VAT or National Insurance.

In June, leaders across the sport and physical activity sector jointly wrote to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, warning that if they were not prioritised in government spending plans it would “risk the decline or closure of more facilities and clubs”.

The letter was signed by organisations including the Youth Sport Trust, the Sport and Recreation Alliance, gym and leisure-centre body Ukactive and the Sport for Development Coalition.