England have selected George Ford at fly-half and Owen Farrell at inside centre for Saturday's QBE International against Samoa at Twickenham.
Ford will be making his first Test start after four appearances as a replacement, while Farrell survives another week despite a disappointing autumn so far that has raised concerns over his fitness.
Head coach Stuart Lancaster has accommodated the two playmakers in his starting XV by moving Farrell to 12, the position he filled in the first two games of his international career in 2012 when he also partnered Brad Barritt in midfield.
Farrell and Ford played together for England at age-group level and helped the under-20s reach the final of the 2011 Junior World Championship.
"It's great to give George a start in this series after he missed the summer tour through injury," Lancaster said.
"George has been impressive in camp and is now fully up to speed with the game plan and is ready to run the game. Owen switches to 12 and I'm sure will support George well."
England team to play Samoa: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Brad Barritt, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jonny May; 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Joe Marler, 2 Rob Webber, 3 Dave Wilson; 4 Dave Attwood, 5 Courtney Lawes; 6 James Haskell, 7 Chris Robshaw (captain), 8 Ben Morgan.
Replacements: 16 Dylan Hartley, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Kieran Brookes, 19 George Kruis, 20 Tom Wood, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Billy Twelvetrees, 23 Marland Yarde.
