Fin Smith will steer England through their crucial autumn opener against Australia on Sunday after completing his recovery from a calf problem.
Smith starts at fly-half after coming through Friday’s final training session of the week in a major boost for Steve Borthwick’s side entering the first of their four Tests at Allianz Stadium this month.
Borthwick has made four changes to the XV that defeated Argentina 31-24 in July, with George Furbank returning at full-back having been ruled out against the Pumas because of appendicitis.
It will be Furbank’s first England appearance for two years following a savage run of injuries, including a broken arm, concussion and calf issue.
The Harlequins playmaker was included in the starting XV named against South Africa in July but was forced to withdraw because of the appendicitis that ended his tour without playing a minute.
In another shot in the arm for an England team reeling from five defeats in eight Tests in 2026, Fin Baxter starts at loosehead prop at the earliest opportunity having been out for 11 months because of a foot problem that required two surgeries.
The highly-rated front row comes in for Ellis Genge, who drops to the bench, and there are two further changes to the pack with the return of second row Maro Itoje and openside Ben Curry.
Itoje was rested for the first phase of the Nations Championship in the summer and forms an all-Saracens lock partnership with Alex Coles, while Curry wins the race for the number seven jersey.
Henry Pollock provides back row and wing cover from the bench, which also includes Greg Fisilau in a matchday 23 for the first time.
Ahead of dynamic Exeter number eight Fisilau winning his first cap as a replacement, Borthwick said: “We’re all absolutely delighted for Greg.
“He’s worked incredibly hard to get to this point and has earned his opportunity through the way he’s performed for Exeter and in our training environment. He’s a powerful, athletic player who brings real energy to the team.”
England face Australia for the final time before next year’s World Cup where the rivals are projected to meet in the quarter-finals.
“Australia are a talented side who have played a significant amount of Test rugby in recent months,” Borthwick said. “We know the challenge that awaits us and we’re looking forward to it.
“This will also be our last opportunity to face southern hemisphere opposition at home before the World Cup next year.”
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 6, 2026
England team to play Australia in Nations Championship
Forwards: 1 Fin Baxter (Harlequins), 2 Jamie George (Saracens), 3 Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers), 4 Maro Itoje (Captain, Saracens), 5 Alex Coles (Northampton Saints), 6 Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers), 7 Ben Curry (Sale Sharks), 8 Ben Earl (Saracens)
Backs: 9 Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers), 10 Fin Smith (Northampton Saints), 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs), 12 Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby), 13 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), 14 Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints), 15 George Furbank (Harlequins)
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks), 17 Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears), 18 Will Stuart (Bath Rugby), 19 George Martin (Saracens), 20 Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs), 21 Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints), 22 Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby), 23 Marcus Smith (Harlequins)