Smith passed fit to start for England as Saints quartet get set to face Australia
Fin Smith has been passed fit to start for England in their Nations Championship clash with Australia at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Sunday (kick-off 3.10pm).
Smith missed Saints' 28-14 Gallagher PREM win against Gloucester last Saturday due to a calf problem, but after being put through his paces this week, he is ready to take on the Wallabies.
Alex Coles and Tommy Freeman also start against Australia, with Henry Pollock on the bench, but there is no place for Manny Iyogun, Tom Pearson and Fraser Dingwall.
The game against Australia will be followed by further home fixtures against Japan and New Zealand before finals weekend takes place at the end of November.
England boss Borthwick said: “Australia are a talented side who have played a significant amount of Test rugby in recent months.
"We know the challenge that awaits us and we’re looking forward to it.
“We’re excited to be playing in front of our home supporters and to start an important block of games.
"This will also be our last opportunity to face southern hemisphere opposition at home before the World Cup next year.”
England team to face Australia: 15 George Furbank (Harlequins, 14 caps); 14 Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 30 caps), 13 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 77 caps), 12 Seb Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, 7 caps), 11 Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 16 caps); 10 Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 19 caps), 9 Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 27 caps); 1 Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 18 caps), 2 Jamie George (Saracens, 113 caps) – vice-captain, 3 Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 25 caps), 4 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 102 caps) – captain, 5 Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 22 caps); 6. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 38 caps) – vice-captain, 7 Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 14 caps), 8 Ben Earl (Saracens, 54 caps).
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 61 caps), 17 Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 83 caps) – vice-captain, 18 Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 53 caps), 19 George Martin (Saracens, 24 caps), 20 Greg Fisilau (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped), 21 Henry Pollock (Northampton Saints, 13 caps), 22 Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 19 caps), 23 Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 53 caps).