Australia v England: George Ford set to start in second Test in Melbourne

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George FordImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

George Ford helped England beat the Wallabies for only the fourth time in Australia last Saturday

Australia v England - Second Test

Date: Saturday 18 June. Time: 11:00 (BST). Venue: AAMI Park, Melbourne.

Coverage: Live radio and text commentary on BBC Radio 5 live and the BBC Sport website.

George Ford is set to be rewarded for his performance off the bench in Brisbane with a place in the starting XV for Saturday's second Test against Australia in Melbourne.

The Bath fly-half was an early replacement for Luther Burrell, setting up two tries in England's 39-28 win.

Owen Farrell is expected to move from fly-half to inside centre.

England are set to name their side for the second of three contests against the Wallabies on Thursday at 10:00 BST.

Ford and Farrell played 10 and 12 for the England Under-20 side several years ago and re-formed that partnership in this year's Six Nations.

"It's great to have someone else who has the same mindset out there at 12," Ford told BBC Sport.

"We think about the game quite similarly and he helps in terms of communication in attack, while his energy in defence is unbelievable."

England coach Eddie Jones says England's treatment at the hands of the Australian media has been "disgusting, demeaning and disrespectful".

But Ford insists the players are ignoring any noise from outside the camp.

"We don't really take any notice of it," he said. "All that matters is what is going on inside our camp."

Meanwhile, Ford says he is staying at his club side Bath, despite admitting he was disappointed and "upset" by the sacking of his father Mike as head coach.

"It's happened now, the decision has been made," said Ford. "I've just signed two years at the club so I'll be there for the next two years."

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