Coach Eddie Jones has handed Manu Tuilagi his first England start for five years after naming at inside centre for Saturday's Six Nations opener in Ireland.
Former Wallabies boss Eddie Jones named his squad at England's Portugal training base on Thursday and it looks a formidable one with very few injury absences for what should be a monumental clash with last year's grand slam champions.
There had been speculation that Mike Brown could be recalled at fullback to deal with Ireland's aerial threat, but Jones kept faith with Elliot Daly for 15 jersey, with veteran Brown not making the match squad.
Jack Nowell and Jonny May are on the wings with Chris Ashton offering back-three bench cover.
Henry Slade lines up outside Tuilagi, who is back playing regularly for his club Leicester after years of injury woes, his last start for England came against the All Blacks in June, 2014 and he made brief replacement appearances in 2016 and last November, including the 37-18 victory over the Wallabies at Twickenham.
In the absence of the injured Ben Te'o, Tuilagi offers the powerful ball-carrying option that dovetails with Slade's more subtle approach.
"We could have moved Owen Farrell to 12 but I felt for this game the best option was to play Owen at 10 and Manu as a like-for-like replacement for Ben," Australian Jones said in a statement.
"Manu has impressed us at the training camp, and is right to play."
The power options are further boosted by the return of prop Mako Vuniopola and his brother and number eight Billy, back after missing the November series through injury, while Tom Curry (openside) and Mark Wilson (blindside) complete the backrow.
England, who finished fifth in last year's Six Nations, have lost their last two games against the Irish and have not won in Dublin since 2013.
"I think it is quite clear to beat Ireland you have to beat them in the contest area," Jones said.
"They are very good at the breakdown and in the air. Both those areas are a priority for us.
"Traditionally, England and Ireland games are always very close, tough affairs. There is a lot of emotion in the games so our ability to finish the game strongly is going to be vital."
The championship gets underway in Paris on Friday when France play Wales, who are in the same World Cup pool D as the Wallabies in Japan later this year. Scotland face Italy on Saturday.
England team to play Ireland: Elliot Daly, Jonny May, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Manu Tuilagi, Jack Nowell, Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Mako Vunipola, Jamie George Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, George Kruis , Mark Wilson, Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie , Ellis Genge, Harry Williams, Courtney Lawes, Nathan Hughes, Dan Robson, George Ford, Chris Ashton.
