Henry Pollock will make his first start for England since the Six Nations defeat by Ireland after being named at No 8 for Saturday's clash against Japan at Twickenham, with George Ford back at flyhalf.
Pollock is one of 10 personnel changes made to the starting side by coach Steve Borthwick following last Sunday's 45-22 win over Australia at Twickenham.
Pollock, primarily a back-row forward, scored two tries on the wing against the Wallabies after replacing the injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso at half time.
This weekend's Nations Championship international will be just the second time in his 15-cap England career that Pollock has started a test.
Pollock comes in for Ollie Chessum, who suffered a shoulder injury against Australia in a revamped back row where Ben Earl shifts to openside flanker and lock Alex Coles is switched to blindside flanker.
There is a whole new front row in Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Asher Opoku-Fordjour, with George Martin replacing Coles to form a second row partnership with England captain Maro Itoje.
The 108-times capped Ford makes his first international appearance since February in place of Fin Smith.
Your team to face the Brave Blossoms 🌹 Steve Borthwick has named his side for our second home Nations Championship fixture against Japan on Saturday at 16:40 GMT. Read more 👉 https://t.co/hEYgV75S48 @O2 | #WearTheRose https://t.co/nC4yWLuiOo
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 12, 2026
Northampton stand-off Smith steered England to a convincing win over the Wallabies in their November opener but fails to make the matchday 23.
Smith, who had been doubtful for the Australia match with a calf issue, trained fully this week so his absence is selection based, with a match against rugby giants New Zealand and finals weekend to come this month.
Marcus Smith provides playmaker cover from the bench.
Behind the scrum, Freddie Steward returns at full-back instead of George Furbank, who is nursing a groin strain, while Will Joseph is on the wing for Feyi-Waboso, out for the rest of the November programme with ankle damage.
Cadan Murley is given a run on the left wing in place of Tommy Freeman, stood down this weekend.
In midfield, Max Ojomoh is at inside centre after Seb Atkinson was ruled out against Japan because of a hip problem.
Borthwick continues with his preferred six-two split between forwards and backs on a bench where Northampton's Archie McParland is poised to make his debut, having been chosen as scrum-half cover.
Japan, who suffered a narrow 28-21 loss to Wales in Cardiff last week, have yet to beat England.
But Borthwick remained wary of a Brave Blossoms side coached by England predecessor Eddie Jones.
"Japan are a very well-coached side who will challenge us in different ways, and we know we'll need to bring intensity throughout the game," said Borthwick.
ENGLAND TEAM (15-1)
Freddie Steward; Will Joseph, Henry Slade, Max Ojomoh, Cadan Murley; George Ford, Jack van Poortvliet; Henry Pollock, Ben Earl, Alex Coles; George Martin, Maro Itoje (capt); Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge
Replacements: Theo Dan, Emmanuel Iyogun, Joe Heyes, Arthur Clark, Ben Curry, Greg Fisilau, Archie McParland, Marcus Smith
Coach: Steve Borthwick (ENG)