By Salma El-Sakka
England fly-half Fin Smith has recovered from a calf injury to start against Australia in their opening autumn Test on Sunday.
Team news
Smith, 24, has started England's last five matches at fly-half but was a doubt after coming off in Northampton's defeat by Leicester on 24 October. He is joined by flanker Ben Curry, returning after a 16-month injury layoff. Curry's twin brother Tom suffered a training injury this week that ruled him out.
Curry is expected to counter Australia's breakdown specialists Fraser McReight and Carlo Tizzano. Smith will have Northampton teammate Tommy Freeman on the wing, while full-back George Furbank provides cover at first receiver. Alex Coles starts at second row ahead of George Martin, with Henry Slade at outside centre. Fin Baxter starts at loose-head prop after returning from a 10-month foot injury. Ellis Genge and Will Stuart are on the bench, and Exeter back-row Greg Fisilau could win his first cap as a replacement.
England lineup
England: Furbank; Freeman, Slade, Atkinson, Feyi-Waboso; F Smith, van Poortvliet; Baxter, George, Heyes, Itoje, Coles, Chessum, Curry, Earl; Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Stuart, Martin, Fisilau, Pollock, Spencer, M Smith.
