Courtney Lawes will captain a strong England lineup featuring the return of an experienced No 8 and scrumhalf for the first of three Tests against the Wallabies in Perth on Saturday.

Despite Owen Farrell being named to start at inside centre, loose forward Lawes will captain England from blindside flank.

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Lawes is joined in the back row by opensider Tom Curry and No 8 Billy Vunipola, who will make his first appearance for England since March 2021.

In the front row, hooker Jamie George joins props Ellis Genge and Will Stuart. Maro Itoje and Jonny Hill are the locks.

Farrell, whose last appearance for England was in their 32-15 win over the Wallabies in November 2021, returns after injury at inside centre and Joe Marchant is at outside centre.

Joe Cokanasiga (left) and Jack Nowell (right) are on the wings with Freddie Steward at fullback. At scrumhalf, Danny Care will start for the first time since November 2018 and Marcus Smith is named at flyhalf.

Three players could make their England debuts after being named on the bench: Guy Porter, Jack van Poortvliet and apprentice player Henry Arundell.

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England – 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Joe Cokanasiga, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Danny Care, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 Jonny Hill, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Jamie George, 1 Ellis Genge.
Subs: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Lewis Ludlam, 21 Jack van Poortvliet, 22 Guy Porter, 23 Henry Arundell.

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images