Richmond wing Spencer Brown, Saracens centre Steve Ravenscroft, his club colleague Ben Sturnham and Sale flanker Patrick Sanderson all line up as Woodward fills in for numerous players who have withdrawn from the tour.

There are only six survivors from the Triple Crown-winning team against Ireland last month, and one of those - Bath full-back Matt Perry - moves into midfield alongside Ravenscroft.

British Lions' hero Tim Stimpson, who signed for Leicester from Newcastle last week, is recalled after nearly a year in the international wilderness. His last England appearance was against Australia in Sydney almost 11 months ago.

Sanderson fills the openside flanker's berth vacated by injured Lion Neil Back, while Sturnham was always a strong contender at number six once former captain Lawrence Dallaglio withdrew from tour duties.

England captain Matt Dawson

England are taking 20 uncapped players among their 37-strong southern hemisphere bound squad - further Tests await them in New Zealand and South Africa - and six of the seven replacements are international rookies.

Perry apart, the other Triple Crown survivors are Leicester wing Austin Healey, new England skipper Matt Dawson, Leicester hooker Richard Cockerill, Newcastle lock Garath Archer and Saracens number eight Tony Diprose.

An optimistic Woodward said: "These players have an opportunity to test themselves against the best in the world - there's no need for me to motivate anyone.

"We've set the ground rules in that we'll pick the team on form and fitness, and we're travelling with 37 squad members who are 100% fit.

"My mood is totally positive and I'm seeking a lot of plusses from this tour."

Dawson added: "The end of our domestic season wasn't that long ago, so the boys will arrive in Australia extremely match-fit. "So far, our organisation and preparation has been spot on, although when we arrive in Brisbane it must be case of hitting the ground running."

England team to play Australia in Brisbane on Saturday, June 6.

T Stimpson (Leicester); S Brown (Richmond), M Perry (Bath), S Ravenscroft (Saracens), A Healey (Leicester); J Wilkinson (Newcastle), M Dawson (Northampton, capt); G Rowntree (Leicester), R Cockerill (Leicester), P Vickery (Gloucester), D Grewcock (Saracens), G Archer (Newcastle), B Sturnham (Saracens), P Sanderson (Sale), T Diprose (Saracens).