#team-selection

#team-selection

There was no shortage of effort from England and the promise that they would be motivated going into a first Ashes series in 22 years could not be questioned. But there was a critical lack of quality at any stage of the contest, which means Shaun Wane, the head coach, is surely going to have to make changes to try to keep the series alive.

It must be noted that the 25-year-old forward is dealing with lingering discomfort from a hamstring overload in his left leg, which he sustained during the recent international break. The club released an official statement noting, "First team player Ferran Torres will miss tomorrow's match against Girona as a precaution, due to discomfort stemming from the hamstring overload in his left leg, sustained during the international break." Ferran had returned early from the Spanish national team's training camp due to the overload.

Chelsea were favourites heading into the tie, having put nine goals past the Dutch champions across two group-stage meetings last season. And after tournament heavyweights Barcelona, who have knocked Chelsea out in the semi-finals in each of the past three editions, thrashed Bayern Munich 7-1 on Tuesday, the Blues would have been hoping for a statement win of their own as they search for a maiden European trophy.

Five changes to the starting XV for the Wallabies six for the All Blacks, four of them injury enforced. Among the half-dozen, Scott Barrett returns to skipper the side, Damien McKenzie replaces the injured Beauden Barrett at five-eighth, and Leicester Fainga'anuku comes in for Caleb Clarke. It's an inexperienced line-up with five starters with under ten caps to their name, and a further four that have yet to pass 30 international appearances.

Lamine Yamal is back in the Barcelona squad against Real Sociedad, but will have to wait to make his return having been named on the bench. Yamal has missed Barca's last four games because of a groin injury, his absence coming after he controversially took painkillers to play for Spain during the most recent international break. But he is fit enough to play some part against Sociedad, though Hansi Flick's decision to keep him on the bench is likely one made with an eye on the visit of Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

Ellie Kildunne returns to the England starting XV in one of four changes for their Rugby World Cup semi-final against France on Saturday. Kildunne missed the Red Roses' quarter-final win against Scotland as she went through concussion protocols with Helena Rowland stepping in at full-back. Rowland has been named among the replacements for the semi-final at Ashton Gate while England have also restored Hannah Botterman at loosehead prop, Abbie Ward in the second row and Zoe Harrison at fly-half to the starting XV.

Liverpool's colossus at the back has been an ever-present in the team for so long that it is hard to imagine a competitive Liverpool defence without him. He will likely partner with Ibrahima Konate, given Liverpool's lack of signings at centre-back, namely the missed acquisition of Marc Guehi. Konate has had a rough start to the season, but came good against Arsenal. It is always reassuring to see van Dijk by his side.

We're evaluating player fatigue. There's a factor here we have to consider, and that could affect our strategy. I'm gathering input from players who have played under these conditions, since I don't have much personal experience. The national team, however, has played there many times - it's nothing new for Brazil. Our plan is to adjust both the strategy and the players.

"Then we will make the choice to try to get the best starting XI to win the game."