Elliot Daly will start England’s non-cap international on Sunday against the Barbarians at full-back, with Danny Cipriani having to settle for a place among the replacements.
It is Daly’s first start in the number 15 jersey, having made all but one of his previous England appearances on the wing, and the selection sees Mike Brown, the usual incumbent in the position, switch to the left wing.
Cipriani has been overlooked for a starting role despite his return to the senior England squad, with George Ford preferred at fly-half.
The team for the match at Twickenham is co-captained by Ford and Chris Robshaw, and the latter is joined in the back row by Tom Curry, the Sale openside who appears destined to fill the seven jersey for next month’s series against South Africa.
The Barbarians fixture serves as a warm-up for the three-Test series against South Africa that takes place in Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Cape Town.
“This is a good young squad and their work ethic has been outstanding over the last two weeks,” said England coach Eddie Jones.
“Their application to learn has been very good but they are very young at Test level so this week’s match against the Barbarians is a fantastic opportunity for them to step up.”
England international wing Chris Ashton, who has scored 19 tries in 39 Test appearances, starts at full back for the Barbarians.
The Toulon player, who has not played Test rugby since 2014, is part of a stellar back line featuring his Fijian Stade Mayol teammates Josua Tuisova and Semi Radradra, and Scotland’s Finn Russell.
The famous invitational club’s all-star back row consists of captain Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (Argentina), World Cup winner Victor Vito (New Zealand) and British and Irish Lions flanker Justin Tipuric.
“It’s an exciting challenge to bring together a side in five days but everything we’ve done has been about improving our chances of winning this game,” said coach Pat Lam.
“We have very high-quality individuals — and they’ve worked hard and risen to the challenge of coming together as a team, which is what we’ll need to compete with a top-class international side.”
England (15-1)
Elliot Daly, Jonny May, Henry Trinder, Piers Francis, Mike Brown, George Ford (co-capt), Ben Youngs, Zach Mercer, Tom Curry, Chris Robshaw (co-capt), Joe Launchbury, Elliott Stooke, Kyle Sinckler, Jack Singleton, Joe Marler
Replacements: George McGuigan, Ellis Genge, Nick Schonert, Josh Beaumont, Mark Wilson, Dan Robson, Danny Cipriani, Denny Solomona
Barbarians (15-1)
Chris Ashton, Josua Tuisova, Semi Radradra, Josh Matavesi, Niyi Adeolokun, Finn Russell, Rhodri Williams, Victor Vito, Justin Tipuric, Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe (capt), Sateleki Timani, Ultan Dillane, John Afoa, Benjamin Kayser, Denis Buckley
Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Loni Uhila, Ramiro Herrera, Joe Tekori, Nili Latu, Greig Laidlaw, Luke McAlister, Malakai Fekitoa
