Michael Cheika is looking to target England at the breakdown.

Although England are not scheduled to play Australia for another two months, excitement is already building ahead of the three test series in June.

After winning the Grand Slam, England fans are particularly giddy at the prospect of beating the team that put them out of the World Rugby.

Indeed, many in the English media have already begun to select potential touring sides, with arguments being made for the inclusion of a number of players who did not feature during the Six Nations.

Australians too are also eagerly anticipating the summer series, with much expected of Michael Cheika’s side after they landed the Rugby Championship title last season and finished as runners up at the World Cup.

Like the counterparts in England, Australian rugby writers are also beginning to anticipate Cheika’s selection, but instead of asking why their side have not included an openside, the Wallabies seem to be trying to fit as many sevens into their team as possible.

This comes after Chieka revealed to Fox News that he is not only considering fielding David Pocock and Michael Hooper against England, but also Sean McMahon.

While both Hooper and Pocock have established themselves as the Wallabies first choice combination at seven and eight, such is McMahon’s form that Cheika is considering playing the Rebels flanker on the blindside.

As a result, when asked whether or not he would consider rotating the three opensides over the course of the international season, Cheika replied,

I don’t know about three sevens rotating. I’d think more about three sevens playing together. Why not? I understand the lineout and that but I probably wouldn’t have thought about two sevens once upon a time but their form forced me to do that. Form can force something and then it is about making sure that works, and making sure the combination works. But Seanny is a bit of a hybrid. He can play in both roles (six and seven)

Although Cheika did concede that selecting three sevens could have an adverse affect on Australia’s line out, the prospect of watching them compete against England’s blindside dominated backrow will interest all neutral rugby fans.

Alan Drumm, Pundit Arena

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