England vs. Australia: Key Battles to Watch at Twickenham

England will play host to Australia on Saturday as two out-of-sorts giants from each side of the equator compete to take home this year's Cook Cup.

This will be the fourth year in a row that the two teams have faced off at Twickenham. Stuart Lancaster's men claimed the most recent scalp with a 20-13 win over the Wallabies this time last year.

The fixture will bring a close to each side's autumn international series, and heading into a Rugby World Cup year, both England and Australia need every boost in morale they can get their hands on.

Read on for some of the most pivotal head-to-head battles likely to dictate Saturday's tie.

1. George Ford vs. Bernard Foley

The big news in England's camp this week is that George Ford will be the man preferred in the No. 10 jersey. In his first start against Samoa last week, he showed just what a terror he can be.

Bath's puppeteer played with a vigour and confidence that resembled a more hardened figure than Ford actually is, but Bernard Foley has spared no expense in admitting the Wallabies are gunning for the youngster.

Michael Cheika's No. 10 was quoted by ESPN Scrum as saying:

"

I was probably thinking back then (when the Wallabies arrived in Europe) that Owen Farrell would be starting. For the English, we will have a look at the 10 channel. He's the bloke who touches the ball in attack, so you can fatigue him in making tackles so he is not as potent when he gets the ball.

"

It's no new prospect for Ford, who frequently faces extra attention as the primary string-puller at The Rec, but Australia's giants may prove to be a different task altogether.

Depending on how that pursuit goes, Foley may find himself with more time on the ball, but the influence of turnover speed at the breakdown will also be a deciding factor.

2. Chris Robshaw vs. Michael Hooper

Once again, captain will meet captain in what promises to be an energetic yet draining clash between Chris Robshaw and Michael Hooper—two juggernauts willing to do anything for their teams.

Neither player has yet missed a minute of his team's autumn series, and it will be of some interest to see who is feeling that resulting fatigue more at this late stage.

Of the two, Hooper provides the more evident attacking threat, regularly showing his preference to notch yards around the fringes before making use of his impressive offload skills.

However, he'll find himself up against a keen tracker in the shape of Robshaw, who'll be sure not to let Hooper evade his grasp for any long stretches.

Who gets to the breakdown first will decide a great deal in the points tide. Whoever can rumble their opponent and rack up the penalty opportunities stands to make substantial moves on the scoreboard.

With both regularly tallying in the high double digits when it comes to tackling, Robshaw and Hooper will hope to end their autumns on a high note. This will be a battle of brains as much as brawn.

3. Billy Twelvetrees vs. Matt Toomua

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As Mick Cleary of The Telegraph reports, this Saturday is likely to see Owen Farrell dropped for just the second time in his three-year international career, replaced by Billy Twelvetrees at inside centre.

The Gloucester captain may have sought further involvement already this autumn, but there are still concerns in consistency surrounding Twelvetrees, a hit-and-miss figure who still has his doubters among the English audience.

Matt Toomua is seeking similar validation; he was brought back into the inside centre role by Cheika against Ireland last weekend and held no regret for that decision.

In a game that had its gloomy moments for the Wallabies, Toomua stuck out as a bright spark at times, performing well in creation and making all of his seven attempted tackles.

This battle of versatile No. 12 bastions who have had their share of playing time at fly-half will be one to watch for its maestro-like talent. Both Twelvetrees and Toomua bring an elusive, slippery guise to their respective positions.

4. Ben Morgan vs. Ben McCalman

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The Battle of Big Ben will likely see England's Morgan face off against Australia's McCalman after it was announced that injury would rule out Billy Vunipola on Saturday.

However, Gloucester's mauling behemoth will look to pounce on the opportunity afforded to him and prove that, going into a World Cup year, the No. 8 jersey isn't as secure as Vunipola might hope.

While Morgan has been forced to contend for his minutes, McCalman has yet to miss a minute of Australia's autumn campaign and has gradually developed a vice on his place in Cheika's reckoning.

The absence of Vunipola takes a significant weapon out of Lancaster's arsenal, but in Morgan, he has a capable and eager replacement who is waiting to make his impact.

5. Mike Brown vs. Israel Folau

This autumn international series has been an odd one for Israel Folau, who has followed up his customary glimpses of excellence with longer spells of absence at times.

The Waratahs talisman can make the Wallabies tick almost single-handedly when at the top of his game, which is precisely what Mike Brown will be trying to prevent when they clash this weekend.

However, Folau's quieter moments have seemed almost self-made by Cheika's side, rather than as a result of opponents' tactics working in their favour. 

An ever-changing Wallabies back line isn't helped by Tevita Kuridrani's injury this week, and it's possible the missing man could open up space for Brown to have a stronger impact dropping into the line.

It will also affect Folau's momentum, though. Just as he did against France and Wales, Australia's flying fullback will hope to command the skies and make Brown's presence almost unnoticeable, but his English counterpart is no defensive slouch among the world's elite No. 15s.

All statistics come courtesy of ESPN Scrum.