The latest rugby stories making headlines on Tuesday, October 28Wales’ Louis Rees-Zammit(Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire)

These are your evening headlines on the evening of Tuesday, October 28.

Wales speedster expected to be passed fit for autumn opener

Louis Rees-Zammit is on course to be fit for Wales’ autumn opener against Argentina a week Saturday.

The 24-year-old suffered a toe injury in Bristol Bears’ defeat to Saracens earlier this month and has not played since.

Rees-Zammit has already taken the Gallagher Prem by storm since returning from a near two-year stint in American football.

Tandy will be desperate to utilise the speed and potent finishing ability of the Bristol speedster this autumn.

“Yeah, there’s a couple of boys tracking and doing side-of-the-pitch stuff,” said Tandy.

“But they are all tracking well for Argentina which is the most important bit.”

Ospreys scrum-half Kieran Hardy and Cardiff backrower Alex Mann are also nursing injuries picked up in the United Rugby Championship.

Osprey with a ‘high ceiling’ tipped to make an impact

Jac Morgan has tipped his Ospreys team-mate Morgan Morse to make a huge impact for Wales this autumn.

The dynamic backrower has been on fire for the Ospreys this season and is in line to win his first senior Wales cap this autumn.

Morgan is confident the 20-year-old will perform well if given an opportunity by Steve Tandy in November.

“Yes, definitely, I’m confident,” said the Wales captain when asked whether he thought Morse could transfer his Ospreys form into the international arena.

“Morsey has been playing brilliantly this season and the best thing as well is he has got a high ceiling.

“He’s really talented and he’s a very good player. He’s keen to learn and keen to get better as well. I think he’s just going to get even better being in this environment and he’s already a great player.

“I’m chuffed for him and I know a couple of the boys back in Cwmtwrch are chuffed for him as well.”

Borthwick names shock England team

By Duncan Bech, PA Rugby Union Correspondent

George Ford has edged Fin Smith in their battle for England fly-half duties against Australia with Marcus Smith missing the Allianz Stadium showdown altogether.

Ford will continue in the number 10 jersey he wore throughout the summer tour to Argentina and the United States when Smith, who was first choice during the Six Nations, was involved in the British and Irish Lions tour.

In another significant selection call, Guy Pepper has been chosen ahead of Tom Curry in the back row with the Sale flanker one of six Lions named on the bench for Saturday’s clash.

Marcus Smith was part of Andy Farrell’s squad that visited Australia during the summer, but has been overlooked completely with Fin Smith providing playmaker cover from the bench.

England will resume the experiment of fielding Tommy Freeman at outside centre with the Lions wing forming an all-Northampton midfield partnership alongside Fraser Dingwall.

Freeman’s positional switch means Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Tom Roebuck are picked on the wings as part of a back three that is completed by Freddie Steward.

Up front, head coach Steve Borthwick has opted for the less experienced Fin Baxter and Joe Hayes as his starting props with Lions duo Ellis Genge and Will Stuart given replacement roles.

Pepper excelled against the Pumas and USA during the summer, making his debut and winning two further caps, and the 22-year-old has now been handed the blindside duties in his first appearance at Twickenham.

Sam Underhill takes the number seven jersey with Ben Earl the number eight, a selection call that was made easier for Borthwick once Tom Willis decided to join Bordeaux next season.

Henry Pollock is included on a bench that features a six-two split between forwards and backs.

Luke Cowan-Dickie will win his 50th cap off the bench with Jamie George the starting hooker.

“Luke is a fierce competitor who gives absolutely everything every time he pulls on an England shirt,” Borthwick said.

“Reaching 50 caps is a reflection of his consistency, resilience and commitment to the team over many years. We couldn’t be prouder of his achievement.”

England team: F Steward (Leicester); T Roebuck (Sale), T Freeman (Northampton), F Dingwall (Northampton), I Feyi-Waboso (Exeter); G Ford (Sale), A Mitchell (Northampton); F Baxter (Harlequins), J George (Saracens), J Heyes (Leicester), M Itoje (Saracens, capt), O Chessum (Leicester), G Pepper (Bath), S Underhill (Bath), B Earl (Saracens).

Replacements: L Cowan-Dickie (Sale), E Genge (Bristol), W Stuart (Bath), A Coles (Northampton), T Curry (Sale), H Pollock (Northampton), B Spencer (Bath), F Smith (Northampton).

* Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here for all the breaking news.

You can also follow us on social media on our X account, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. For more exclusive stories and in-depth analysis, you can sign up for the Inside Welsh Rugby substack newsletter here