England selected George Ford at fly-half for Saturday’s match against Australia at Twickenham, with Henry Pollock and Finn Smith named as substitutes.
With England having limited training time before facing the Wallabies, Steve Borthwick, who had started the season well with Sale Sharks, was featured in Ford’s number 10 at fly-half and retained the reins after playing in all three of England’s summer internationals.
In the other match, Guy Pepper started on the blindside, with Borthwick naming British & Irish Lions trio Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Will Stewart on the bench.
Ford’s decision to start means Finn Smith has been mentioned as a potential replacement, with Borthwick opting for a 6-2 split between forwards and backs. That means there is no place for Marcus Smith in the matchday squad.
Ford will be joined at half-back by Northampton Saints’ number nine Alex Mitchell, with club team-mates Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman taking up numbers 12 and 13 respectively.
Due to injuries to George Furbank and Elliot Daly, Freddie Steward started at full-back, with Immanuel Fay-Waboso and Tommy Freeman joining him on the wing.
In the pack, Borthwick selected Bath duo Pepper and Sam Underhill at blindside and openside respectively, with Ben Earl in eighth place. Captain Maro Itoje and Ollie Chetham will pair up at lock, while Finn Baxter, Jamie George and Joe Hayes will all start in the front row.
“We are excited to begin the Quilter Nations Series against Australia and test ourselves against a strong and in-form team,” Borthwick said in a statement.
“The Australian squad has been with us for four months so it will be a great challenge for us at first. We have been training hard with the time we have been given and the players can’t wait to play in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.”
“This is an opportunity for us to take a step forward as a team.”
– Autumn internationals: Teenage winger Noah Caruori called up to England squad
– Lewis Moody: Who won the England World Cup? What is MND?
Cowan-Dickie, Stuart and Genge will be on the bench, along with Alex Coles and Pollock.
Pollock’s arrival will mark his first cap for England at Twickenham and Cowan-Dickie’s 50th cap.
“Luke is a fierce competitor who gives his all every time he puts on an England shirt. Reaching 50 caps is a reflection of his consistency, resilience and contribution to the team over many years. We could not be more proud of his achievements,” said Borthwick.
Tom Curry is the sixth forward on the bench and could play his first rugby of the season against the Wallabies after undergoing wrist surgery in the summer following the Lions trip.
Marcus Smith and Ollie Lawrence will be absent as Ben Spencer and Finn Smith complete their substitutions.