Marcus Smith has been named ahead of skipper Owen Farrell to start at fly-half as England take on France in the Six Nations.
Smith, 24, was returned to club Harlequins last weekend, sparking debate amongst rugby fans as George Ford was retained in the training squad in his place.
But after Smith starred in a 40-5 victory for Quins against Exeter Chiefs, he was picked ahead of Ford in the squad retained for this weekend, before beating Farrell to the number 10 jersey for the game.
In the Saracens player’s absence, Ellis Genge will captain England for the first time, resuming his captain-coach partnership with former Leicester Tigers boss and current England coach Steve Borthwick.
“The players selected to face our visitors are again a reflection of what I see to be the right balance of personnel for the challenge we face in this game,” said Borthwick.
“Owen Farrell will start the game on the bench and when he comes on, he will captain the team.
“I think it’s a fantastic position to be in that I have such great fly-halves. For this game, it’s the right decision to start Marcus and have Owen on the field at the end of the game.
“Owen has been brilliant – as he always is. He leads this team fantastically well, whatever role he is playing.
“Ellis Genge is a natural leader and he is someone people follow. Ellis will lead from the front with the sort of dedication and spirit that now rightly typifies this England team.”
Smith coming in for Farrell is the only change to the England starting line-up, while the sole switch on the bench sees injured Courtney Lawes replaced by Dave Ribbans.
France make three changes to the side that beat Scotland last time out and Dorian Aldegheri replaces the suspended Mohamed Haouas at tighthead prop, facing up to new England skipper Genge.
Francois Cros will start in the place of Anthony Jelonch at blindside, who received a long-term knee injury in the Auld Alliance clash, while Jonathan Danty will make his first start in the Six Nations at 12 with Yoram Moefana dropping to the bench.
England: Steward; Malins, Slade, Lawrence, Watson; Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge (capt), George, Sinckler; Itoje, Chessum; Ludlam, Willis, Dombrandt.
Substitutions: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Ribbans, B Curry, Mitchell, Farrell, Arundell.
France: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Dumortier; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Baille, Marchand, Aldegheri, Flament, Willemse, Cros, Ollivon, Alldritt.
Substitutions: Mauvaka, Wardi, Falatea, Taofifenua, Macalou, Lucu, Moefana, Jaminet.
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