Head coach Adrian Thompson has made three changes to his starting line-up from the team’s 38-10 win over Italy.

Queensland Reds lock Lukhan Tui, who came off the bench to score one of the team’s five tries last weekend, has been promoted to the starting line-up with Izack Rodda moving to the reserves.

In the backrow, Melbourne U20s flanker Ikapote Tupai has been named to start at openside flanker, after missing the opening two matches of the tournament. Liam Wright moves to the reserves where Thompson has opted for a six-two split between forwards and backs.

In the backline, Toowoomba product Liam Jurd, who also scored off the bench against Italy, will earn his first start of the tournament at outside centre. Melbourne Rebels centre Sione Tuipulotu will move to inside centre.

“Off the back of his performance against Italy, Lukhan Tui has earned himself a spot in the starting line-up. Izack (Rodda) has played a lot of minutes for us so this is also a good opportunity to allow him to come off the bench,” Thompson said.

“Liam Wright has been excellent for us over the ball but Ikapote (Tupai) will bring a real physical presence to the forward pack. We’ll look to use them both at different stages of the match with the six-two split on the bench.

“Sione (Tuipulotu) will provide us with a solid ball-carrier at 12 and Liam Jurd has provided us with cover in a few positions so far this year, he’ll relish the opportunity to start.”

With England’s recent success at the U20s level, as well as the Wallabies loss to England in Brisbane this past weekend, the Australian team have plenty of motivation heading into the match.

“The clash against England has been one that we’ve had marked as an important game since the draw was announced. It’s a big occasion but it’s also a big match for England. As the host nation at home in front of big crowd, if there is any pressure heading into the game it will be on England.”

“England have made the last three finals and have won two of them. To get a win over England would be a good scalp for us to claim at the tournament.

“We don’t want to be spectators on Wednesday night. We hear a lot about the strength of Northern Hemisphere set-piece, but we’re going to fight that as hard as we can. We also want to put pressure on them in defence through good line-speed.”

Australia will face England in their final pool game of the tournament on Wednesday, kicking off at 4:45am AEST LIVE on FOX SPORTS.

Australia U20s side to play England:

1. Vunipola Fifita – NSW Gen Blue U20s, Randwick
2. Jordan Uelese – Melbourne Rebels U20s, Melbourne University
3. Tyrel Lomax – Brumbies Colts U20s, Tuggeranong Vikings
4. Ryan McCauley – NSW Gen Blue U20s, Eastern Suburbs
5. Lukhan Tui – Queensland U20s, Brothers
6. Angus Scott-Young – Queensland U20s, University of Queensland
7. Ikapote Tupai – Melbourne U20s, Melbourne Unicorns
8. Maclean Jones – Queensland U20s, University of Queensland
9. James Tuttle – Queensland U20s, GPS
10. Mack Mason – Queensland U20s, Easts Tigers
11. Liam McNamara – Queensland U20s, Sunnybank
12. Sione Tuipulotu – Melbourne Rebels, Southern Districts Pirates
13. Liam Jurd – Queensland U20s, University of Queensland
14. Simon Kennewell – NSW Gen Blue U20s, Randwick
15. Jack Maddocks – NSW Gen Blue U20s, Eastern Suburbs

Reserves
16. Josh Taylor – Queensland U20s, Bond University
17. Richie Asiata – Queensland U20s, Easts Tigers
18. Shambeckler Vui – Western Force U20s, University of Western Australia
19. Izack Rodda – Queensland U20s, Easts
20. Rob Leota – Melbourne Rebels U20s, Melbourne University
21. Harry Nucifora – Queensland U20s, Bond University
22. Liam Wright – Queensland U20s, Easts
23. Jordan Jackson-Hope – Brumbies Colts U20s, Tuggeranong Vikings