Wallabies name side to face England

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Character ... Robbie Deans wants the Wallabies to fire up against England. Source:AAP

Fired-up Wallabies coach Robbie Deans set his side the challenge to bounce back against England and make amends for an inexcusable performance against France.

Deans admits it's been a tough week for the Wallabies who have been accused of lacking character against the French in their humiliating European tour opening 33-6 loss at Stade de France.

Of all the criticism aimed at them during the week, it's having the heart of the side questioned that's really hurt the Wallabies.

Starting: Berrick Barnes, Digby Ioane, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Ben Tapuai, Nick Cummins, Kurtley Beale, Nick Phipps, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper, Dave Dennis, Nathan Sharpe (capt), Sitaleki Timani, Ben Alexander, Tatafu Polota Nau, Benn Robinson.

Reserves: Stephen Moore, James Slipper, Sekope Kepu, Radike Samo, Liam Gill, Brett Sheehan, Mike Harris, Drew Mitchell.

Deans has made four changes to his team to face England at Twickenham.

"No one enjoys that,'' Deans said.

"The team has also shown a lot of character along the way and that's where last week's performance was out of character and inexcusable and we've got to get on and address it.

"Last week's performance was poor. I'm making no excuses about that and we've got to address that.''

To make Saturday's (Sunday Live on Fox Sports at 1.30pm AEDT) Test at Twickenham even more challenging, the Wallabies received a triple blow this week with inside centre Pat McCabe (neck) and second-rower Kane Douglas (knee) both ruled out of the England game.

They also lost reserve lock Rob Simmons for the tour after he copped an eight-week ban for his lifting tackle on French flanker Yannick Nyanga, with the Wallabies likely to appeal the severity of the suspension.

"We certainly have a lot of background in these sorts of challenges,'' Deans said.

"It's more the norm than otherwise and that's the nature of the industry - you've just got to keep going.

"Sure we've lost Tuesday's prep in terms of combinations but it's not the end of the world.''

Deans is likely to be forced into flying in two fresh players for the European tour following Simmons' ban, while it's feared Douglas' tour could also be over.

Standby Scott Higginbotham already has his bags packed while Deans has a decision to make on the other player to come in should Douglas not be declared fit for the Italy Test in Florence on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) week.

Higginbotham, who the Wallabies say hasn't been given an official call-up yet, is serving a suspension for striking All Blacks' captain Richie McCaw and will be available for Italy.

"We've maintained contact with Scotty, he continues to train and, from the outset, was hopeful that it wouldn't be the end of his tour prospects,'' Deans said.

"He's obviously a bloke who would have been here if he hadn't had that setback.''

There is major concern over Douglas with a call on his fitness expected to be made immediately after the England Test.

"We've got what we need for this (England) game. Obviously Dave (Dennis) can cover that area,'' Deans said.

"We need to monitor Kane's progress. It's possible we could call for two replacements. We've got to get through the weekend obviously.

"We'll do it as soon as it's evident. If the medical staff believe it's marginal whether he'll be available to us next week, we'll probably have to act.''

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