Steve Borthwick has picked four Northampton Saints players in his matchday 23 to face Australia in the Ella-Mobbs Cup this Sunday (8 November, kick-off: 3.10pm GMT) at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
The trio of Tommy Freeman, Fin Smith and Alex Coles will start the match, with Henry Pollock primed to come off the bench. The Round 4 fixture of the inaugural Nations Championship sees England begin a run of four consecutive matches at Allianz Stadium.
On the fixture, Borthwick said: “Australia are a talented side who have played a significant amount of Test rugby in recent months. We know the challenge that awaits us and we’re looking forward to it.
“We’re excited to be playing in front of our home supporters and to start an important block of games. This will also be our last opportunity to face southern hemisphere opposition at home before the World Cup next year.”
Following the Australia fixture, England will face Japan and New Zealand at Allianz Stadium in Rounds 5 and 6, before Finals Weekend from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November.
All of England’s Nations Championship fixtures will be broadcast live and exclusively on ITV1.
England side to face Australia
15. George Furbank (Harlequins, 14 caps)
14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 30 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 77 caps)
12. Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, 7 caps)
11. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 16 caps)
10. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 19 caps)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 27 caps)
1. Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 18 caps)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 113 caps) – vice-captain
3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 25 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 102 caps) – captain
5. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 22 caps)
6. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 38 caps) – vice-captain
7. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 14 caps)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 54 caps)
Replacements:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 61 caps)
17. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 83 caps) – vice-captain
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 53 caps)
19. George Martin (Saracens, 24 caps)
20. Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
21. Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, 13 caps)
22. Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 19 caps)
23. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 53 caps)