Nick Easter's rising sees him land captain's role
Nick Easter will captain England against Samoa on Saturday in a side showing four changes from the XV, who started the 35-18 win over Australia.
With Lewis Moody rested, the Harlequins No8 will lead his country for the first time in a capped international, having had charge of the side against the Barbarians in May.
The elevation of Easter for the Test at Twickenham highlights just how important the 32-year-old has become in Martin Johnson's squad.
Leeds' Hendrie Fourie, who made his England debut as a replacement against the Wallabies, gets his first start as he comes in for Moody at open‑side flanker.
There is also a switch at blind‑side with Stade Francais' James Haskell replacing the rested Leicester No6 Tom Croft.
Other changes made by team manager Johnson see Bath prop David Wilson replace Leicester's Dan Cole at tight-head while Bath's Matt Banahan, who has won all his five caps on the wing, is given a chance at outside-centre in place of Gloucester veteran Mike Tindall.
Meanwhile, the Rugby Football Union today announced a £1.1million loss from revenue of £112m in the last financial year.
England: (v Samoa) B Foden (N'hampton), C Ashton (N'hampton), M Banahan (Bath), S Hape (Bath), M Cueto (Sale), T Flood (Leics), B Youngs (Leics); A Sheridan (Sale), D Hartley (N'hampton), D Wilson (Bath), C Lawes (N'hampton), T Palmer (Stade), J Haskell (Stade), H Fourie (Leeds), N Easter (Quins, capt).
Reps: S Thompson (Leeds), D Cole (Leics), D Attwood (Gloucs), T Croft (Leics), D Care (Quins), C Hodgson (Sale), D Armitage (L Irish).
