Ben Te'o will make his first international start for England in the Six Nations meeting with Italy at Twickenham.
Te'o looked impressive off the bench in England's tournament opening victories over France, where he scored the match-winning try, and Wales.
The former NRL and Queensland utility was handed a debut start by coach Eddie Jones after earning five caps as a replacement and is one of four changes from the team that beat Wales.
"Selection was tough. Ben Te'o at 13 gives us another way of playing the game and we are excited about seeing him, George Ford and Owen Farrell play together in the midfield," Jones told the Six Nations website.
Jonny May returns on the right wing, Danny Care replaces Ben Youngs as starting scrumhalf and James Haskell is recalled at openside flanker, completing his return to full fitness after recovering from toe surgery.
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Prop Mako Vunipola has returned from a lengthy knee injury layoff to earn a spot on the bench.
England (15-1): Mike Brown, Jonny May, Ben Te'o, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly, George Ford, Danny Care; Nathan Hughes, James Haskell, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury, Dan Cole, Dylan Hartley (captain), Joe Marler.
Res: Jamie George, Mako Vunipola, Kyle Sinckler, Tom Wood, Jack Clifford, Ben Youngs, Henry Slade, Jack Nowell.
