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Ford edges out Fin Smith for England fly-half role against Australia / Photo: © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
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Ford edges out Fin Smith for England fly-half role against Australia
George Ford has won the race to be England's starting fly-half against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday, with Fin Smith on the bench and Marcus Smith omitted from coach Steve Borthwick's matchday 23 entirely.
Ford, a veteran of 102 Tests for England, will continue in the No 10 shirt he wore throughout the recent tour of Argentina and the United States.
Fin Smith, who was first choice during the Six Nations, missed that tour as he was involved in the British and Irish Lions' 2-1 series win in Australia.
Marcus Smith was also a member of the Lions squad.
Tommy Freeman moves to outside centre after winning the bulk of his 20 England caps on the wing and will now line up alongside Northampton team-mate Fraser Dingwall in midfield.
That means there is no place for centre Ollie Lawrence in the 23.
Meanwhile, Guy Pepper has been chosen ahead of Tom Curry in the back row with the Sale flanker one of six Lions named on the bench for England's opening Autumn Nations Series international.
Borthwick still has six Lions in his starting 15, with Freeman joined by England captain Maro Itoje, his fellow lock Ollie Chessum, hooker Jamie George, back-row Ben Earl and scrum-half Alex Mitchell.
Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie is set to win his 50th cap if he comes off the bench.
The Wallabies, who edged out Japan 19-15 in a tense encounter in Tokyo on Saturday, have been together since the Lions series in July.
England only met last week for a three-day camp before players returned to their clubs and then reconvened last Sunday.
"Australia have had four months together, so it'll be a great challenge for us first up," said Borthwick.
"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."
Australia are due to name their side on Thursday.
England will also play Fiji, New Zealand and Argentina at Twickenham in November.
England (15-1)
Freddie Steward, Tom Roebuck, Tommy Freeman, Fraser Dingwall, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso; George Ford, Alex Mitchell; Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Guy Pepper; Ollie Chessum, Maro Itoje (capt); Joe Heyes, Jamie George, Fin Baxter
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Alex Coles, Tom Curry, Henry Pollock, Ben Spencer, Fin Smith
Coach: Steve Borthwick
F.Edwards--SFF
