England vs Australia: George Ford at fly-half, Tommy Freeman at centre

George Ford has been named at fly-half for England’s opening Autumn Test against Australia on Saturday at Allianz Stadium.

Northampton’s Finn Smith drops to the bench and there is no room in the 23-man squad for Harlequins playmaker Marcus Smith.

Tommy Freeman moves from right wing, where he started all three Tests for the British and Irish Lions, to outside center and partners Saints team-mate Fraser Dingwall.

Dingwall, 26, started alongside Freeman at midfield in England’s emphatic Six Nations win over Wales in March.

The Northampton duo were selected ahead of in-form Henry Slade from Exeter Chiefs and Ollie Lawrence, who returned at the start of the season from a ruptured Achilles tendon.

They were coach Steve Borthwick’s usual midfield combination until Lawrence’s injury in this year’s Six Nations tournament against Italy.

Sale’s Tom Roebuck is on the right wing with Emmanuel Faye-Wabuso on the other flank.

Roebuck, 24, scored two goals in the first test against Argentina and has been a reliable performer since his international debut last year.

Exeter’s Vai-Wabuso, 22, has struggled with injury and missed the tests against the Pumas through suspension, but with seven Prem tries he has reached the ground this season.

Freddie Steward is at full-back, with Marcus Smith starting three times during this year’s Six Nations, with Borthwick leaning on his summer form, when the Leicester Tigers player scored a try in each test against the Pumas.

Borthwick has resisted the signing of uncapped Saracens winger Noah Calori, 19, after his sensational start with five tries earlier this month.

In the pack, Bath versions Jay Pepper and Sam Underhill both start with Saracens’ Ben Earl at number eight.

Sale hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie could make his 50th appearance off the bench, while team-mate Tom Curry could also make his first appearance of the season for club or national team from the substitutes.

More to follow.