London: England have raised serious concerns about Australia’s “illegal” breakdown tactics before their Test against the Wallabies on Saturday.

London’s Telegraph understands that Steve Borthwick, the England coach, highlighted dozens of examples of persistent side-entries by Australian players during this summer’s Rugby Championship – which went largely unpenalised – to this weekend’s match referee in a meeting on Thursday.

Borthwick and opposite number Joe Schmidt are permitted to meet separately with Nika Amashukeli, the match official at Twickenham on Saturday, in a pre-match appointment which takes place before every Test.

It is understood that England raised serious player-safety reservations regarding Australia’s approach at what is known as the “clean-out”, as well as the fac

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