Five modern England v Australia battles in rugby union

The 2003 Rugby World Cup final is widely considered to be England’s finest hour in union, with Jonny Wilkinson’s winning drop goal in extra time written into national sporting folklore.

Under Clive Woodward, the Red Rose had to come from behind through Jason Robinson against tournament hosts Australia only to be forced into an additional 20 minutes by a late Wallabies penalty.

Wilkinson kicked over the posts with just 26 seconds left on the clock in Sydney to secure a 20-17 win Down Under. How’s that for pure sporting theatre?

Scrum dominance (2007)

Another tense Rugby World Cup encounter, only this time at the quarter-final stage in 2007 across the Channel in France.

Once again, Fiji-born Aussies back Lote Tuqiri went over to put England behind, but the trusty boot of Wilkinson saw them through 12-10.

Red Rose dominance of the scrums is what’s most memorable about this game, though – a subject current coach Jones often returns to as he winds up his compatriots from Down Under.

Bernard Foley show (2015)

No list of modern England v Australia battles in rugby union would be complete without the embarrassing elimination the Red Rose suffered from last year’s Rugby World Cup pool stage as hosts.

Wallabies fly half Bernard Foley barely put a foot wrong, putting 28 of his country’s 33 points on the board with two tries, three conversions and four penalties.

This result essential cost Stuart Lancaster his job as England coach and instigated the subsequent rugby revolution under Jones. History will remember this humbling 33-13 defeat as a catalyst for big change.

Jones has been clever enough to keep the core of the side that played in this defeat together and, as the below proves, such demons can be exorcised…

Historic series win Down Under (2016)

And finally, we could’ve picked any of England’s three victories in Australia as they whitewashed the Wallabies this summer, but we reckon the second Test in Melbourne was most memorable with the tourists running out 23-7 winners.

Respective hookers and captains Stephen Moore and Dylan Hartley crossed for tries, while this time Owen Farrell outshined Foley in the kicking department.

Touring Red Rose prop Dan Cole’s try-saving intervention to hold the ball up when the Aussies were over the tryline, plus flanker James Haskell’s hard hits evoke the British bulldog spirit embodied by a determined England during this series.

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Which of these five England v Australia battles in rugby union is most memorable for you? Or did we miss one out? Let us know in the comments below.