Live - Australia v England

LIVE TEXT COMMENTARY (all times GMT)

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By Peter Scrivener

0747: And we're under way. England take first possession and some strong running from captain Graham gets England up to the 40m line but a poor Sam Tomkins kick gives Australia decent field position.

0742: James Graham leads the England players out - it's an overcast evening in Australia and there is the promise of rain. Will that help or hinder the Aussies? Time for a stirring anthem to lift spirits.

From Kev in Huddersfield, via text on 81111: "If we get a slow start again then this could be over by half time. Hopefully the new lads can be quick out of the blocks, Lunt has the talent at hooker."

0738: England coach Steve McNamara has delivered his final team talk and it's now down to the players. Here they go, studs clicking on the floor as they skip out into the Aami Stadium in Melbourne.

From James in London, via text on 81111: "Slammin' Sam to lay the BOOM on Slammin' Sam in the first 10 mins...which one? We'll have to wait and see but here's to hoping!!!"

0735: If you want any more indicators as to just how tough this will be, England have lost their four games against the Kangaroos and playing as either England or Great Britain, have won just three of the last 18 games played between the sides in the last decade. You want a bit of positive news though? The last win against Australia came in 2006. That 23-12 victory came playing as GB. Still, England coach Steve McNamara is remaining positive: "Beating Australia has been done quite a few times in one-off matches so we know we've got the capability of doing that."

0732: We're getting close to kick-off so probably a good time to give you a nudge in the direction of BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra who have live commentary of the game. The link is on the top right of this page for those of you following this on the website in the UK.

It's a bit early for 606 but I still want your thoughts on today's game and you can get in touch by texting me via 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide)

0727: The England side is one of the youngest ever fielded with an average age of just 24 and only Stuart Fielden is the wrong side of 30. The eagle-eyed among you will have spotted three debutants in Huddersfield duo Shaun Lunt and Leroy Cudjoe while Warrington's Ben Harrison also comes in. Australia, perhaps ominously, are unchanged from the side that beat Papua New Guinea 42-0 in their opening game.

0722: We're only about 20 minutes away from kick-off so here are the teams:
England: S Tomkins (Wigan); D Goulding (Wigan), L Cudjoe (Huddersfield), R Atkins (Warrington), T Briscoe (Hull); S O'Loughlin (Wigan), L Robinson(Huddersfield); J Graham (St Helens, capt), J Roby (St Helens), S Burgess (South Sydney), G Ellis (Wests Tigers), J Tomkins (Wigan), B Westwood (Warrington). Subs: S Lunt (Huddersfield), S Fielden (Wigan), E Crabtree (Huddersfield), B Harrison (Warrington).
Australia: B Slater (Melbourne); B Morris (St George Illawarra), B Tate (NZ Warriors), W Tonga (North Queensland), L Tuqiri (Wests Tigers); D Lockyer (Brisbane, capt), C Cronk (Melbourne); N Myles (Sydney Roosters), C Smith (Melbourne), P Civoniceva (Penrith), L Lewis (Penrith), S Thaiday (Brisbane), P Gallen (Cronulla). Subs: D Shillington (Canberra), T Learoyd-Lars (Canberra), A Watmough (Manly), K Gidley (Newcastle).

0720: Morning all. Sorry to begin on such a negative note, but it's important to realise the magnitude of the task facing England in their must-win Four Nations game against Australia following last week's 24-10 defeat by New Zealand in their opening game. A second defeat today will see England miss out on a place in the final.

0715: The last time England played Australia in Melbourne, they were thrashed 52-4.

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