Saints star Wood to skipper England against France

Wood, who led England in their two-Test tour of Argentina in 2013, will win his 37th cap as England start a series of three games leading into the World Cup.

The flanker will pack down alongside Saints team-mate Calum Clark, who will win his first cap.

Prop Kieran Brookes, who moved to Northampton from Newcastle this summer, also starts, while Alex Corbisiero is on the bench.

“We are really excited to play our first QBE International at Twickenham and to put into practice some what we have been working on for the last six weeks,” said England head coach Stuart Lancaster.

“The lads are itching to get out and play a match and these games give us a chance to look at a wide range of players and combinations before we narrow down our selection further.

“Tom is one of several leaders in the squad and he captained the team well in Argentina when Chris Robshaw was rested so this is an ideal opportunity to take the armband at Twickenham against what will be a quality French team.

“I’m delighted for the new caps and for Ben Morgan, who has worked so hard to get back to fitness following his injury.”

England: Goode; Watson, Slade, Burgess; May, Farrell, Wigglesworth; M Vunipola, Webber, Brookes; Kruis, Parling; Wood (c), Clark, Morgan.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Corbisiero, Wilson, Attwood, Haskell, Care, Cipriani, Twelvetrees.