England and Australia clash minutes into crucial Second Test as Dan Cole loses shirt
Eddie Jones' Red Rose can seal series victory if they win in Melbourne after winning bad-tempered battle in Brisbane
DAN COLE lost his shirt as England and Australia clashed just minutes into the crucial Second Test.
Eddie Jones’ side earned a hard-fought win in Brisbane to take a 1-0 lead and can seal the series with victory in Melbourne.
And tempers flared almost immediately as former Red Rose skipper Chris Robshaw hauled down Nick Phipps by his neck.
Australia captain Stephen Moore responded by throwing his shoulder into a ruck – sparking the ugly scenes.
Australia wing Rob Horne ripped prop Cole’s shirt clean off his back as the officials tried to restore order.
England were eventually awarded a penalty and went up the field to take a 7-0 lead thanks to Dylan Hartley crashing over from a driving line-out.
Owen Farrell added the extras and slotted over a penalty to take advantage of a sloppy start from the Wallabies.
But the hosts fought back as a spell of intense pressure allowed Moore to cross before the break.
The Melbourne pitch also came under fire as the game’s first scrum had to be moved due to the turf giving way almost immediately.