Centre Ben Te’o will play his first England test for almost a year and his first rugby of any sort for more than three months after overcoming an ankle injury to be included in the Six Nations match against Italy.
After featuring for the British & Irish Lions in New Zealand last summer, Te’o played only a handful of games for his club Worcester before suffering the injury in October that required the insertion of a plate.
After extensive rehabilitation he has done enough to impress head coach Eddie Jones, and will partner Owen Farrell in Rome on Sunday, winning his ninth England cap but making only his second start.
Aussie Jones has always admired the hole-punching ability of rugby league convert Te’o but the New Zealand-born, part-Samoan 31-year-old has had to work overtime to get back into test-match shape after such a long lay-off.
As evidence of his commitment he spent a lot of his own money to fund a six-week rehabilitation course in Brisbane, which included the extensive use of a cryotherapy ice machine.
“He’s a very experienced player, he knows his body,” Jones said on Thursday.
“He went to Australia with trusted physios and has come back in super nick and is definitely ready to play a significant part of the game.
“He’s got a big match demeanour, he doesn’t get too excited or too disappointed and gets on with the next play.”
Te’o’s only previous England start was also against Italy last year when they they struggled to deal with the Italians’ surprise “no ruck” tactics before coming from behind at halftime to emerge 36-15 winners.
Sam Simmonds wins a fourth cap at number eight, with Chris Robshaw and Courtney Lawes either side of him in the back row.
Mike Brown retains the fullback jersey, with Anthony Watson and Jonny May on the wings. Uncapped prop Alec Hepburn is named among the replacements.