England have gone with George Ford at fly-half for Saturday’s match with Australia at Twickenham with Henry Pollock and Fin Smith named among the replacements.
With England having limited training time before facing the Wallabies, Steve Borthwick has gone with Ford at No.10 with the fly-half having started the season well for Sale Sharks and retaining the reins after he played in all three of England’s summer internationals.
Elsewhere, Guy Pepper starts at blindside with Borthwick naming British & Irish Lions trio Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Will Stuart on the bench.
The decision to start Ford means Fin Smith is named among the replacements as Borthwick opts for a 6-2 split between forwards and backs. That means there no place in the matchday squad for Marcus Smith.
Ford will be joined at half-back by Northampton Saints No. 9 Alex Mitchell with his club teammates Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman at 12 and 13 respectively.
With George Furbank and Elliot Daly injured, Freddie Steward starts at fullback with Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Tommy Freeman on the wings.
In the pack, Borthwick has opted for Bath duo Pepper and Sam Underhill at blindside and openside respectively with Ben Earl at No.8. Captain Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum are paired in the locks, with Fin Baxter, Jamie George and Joe Heyes all starting in the front-row.
“We’re excited to begin our Quilter Nations Series campaign against Australia and to test ourselves against a strong, in-form side,” Borthwick said in a statement.
“Australia have had four months together, so it’ll be a great challenge for us first up. We’ve worked hard with the time we’ve had, and the players can’t wait to play in front of a passionate home crowd.
“It’s another opportunity for us to take a step forward as a team.”
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On the bench, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart and Genge are named with Alex Coles and Pollock also included.
If Pollock is introduced, it would be his first game for England at Twickenham, while Cowan-Dickie would earn his 50th cap.
“Luke is a fierce competitor who gives absolutely everything every time he pulls on an England shirt. Reaching 50 caps is a reflection of his consistency, resilience and commitment to the team over many years. We couldn’t be prouder of his achievement,” Borthwick said.
Tom Curry is the sixth forward on the bench and he could play his first rugby of the season against the Wallabies after undergoing wrist surgery in the summer after the Lions tour.
Ben Spencer and Fin Smith complete the replacements, meaning Marcus Smith and Ollie Lawrence miss out.
