Marcus Smith will make his first competitive start at full-back in England’s Rugby World Cup clash with Chile in Lille on Saturday.
The Harlequins fly-half will operate as an auxiliary playmaker in England’s third Pool D encounter, in a much-changed line-up to face the South Americans.
Owen Farrell will return after his red-card suspension for his first appearance of the World Cup, to captain an England team including full tournament debutants Bevan Rodd, Theo Dan, Dave Ribbans and Jack Willis.
Smith has enjoyed three cameo substitute appearances at full-back for England, but had never played in the position before this summer.
The 24-year-old has been hailed by England’s coaches for his impressive improvisation in order to carve out a niche for himself in a new position.
“Marcus has trained there a fair bit and been really impressive, he really has,” said England attack coach Richard Wigglesworth.
“It’s definitely something that you look at more and more because of his attitude to it and how positive he is with it, and then how he’s performed on the training field as well.
“I think he has been really smart with how he has done it. He wants the ball, he is desperate to get his hands on the ball, but he’s been really smart with where he positions himself and how he gets on the ball and he hasn’t tried to play like a fly-half out wide.
“He could have been a bit lost having not played there much but he is not. He worked out the best places for him to get the ball to have a positive impact on the team. I’ve been really impressed with him.”
Former Wasps flanker Willis won the French Top 14 league title with Toulouse last term but missed out on selection for England’s opening World Cup wins over Argentina and Japan.
The 26-year-old has admitted that a World Cup debut requires first reflection then a refocus to take on the Test match challenge.
“You end up reflecting a little bit, thinking back to the little lad who was watching World Cup matches with his dad and his brother in the front lounge and try to realise how special it is to be pulling on that shirt and running out at a World Cup,” said Willis.
“So we have to be grateful for every moment and try to maximise it.”
Saracens hooker Dan was on loan at Ampthill in the Championship 12 months ago, but now the 22-year-old is poised for his full World Cup debut.
Scrum coach Tom Harrison hailed Dan’s explosive attacking power, that England will look to exploit this weekend.
“What Theo’s got is this unique ability and this power, you see it in his attack and when he carries, how he can break tackles,” said Harrison.
“He’s working extremely hard on all aspects of his game and you’re seeing someone who wants to be at their very best all the time.”
Born in London to Romanian parents, Dan is proud of his dual heritage and makes regular visits to see extended family in Bucharest. He showed his full potential when replacing the injured Jamie George just minutes into the Gallagher Premiership final in May.
Saracens beat Sale 35-25 at Twickenham with Dan in a starring role, in a showing to underscore his World Cup potential.
“The last 12 months have been a whirlwind, it’s been pretty wild to go from playing in the Championship to being at the World Cup,” said Dan.
“I didn’t think I was going to play much in that Premiership final because of how good Jamie is and his history of performing in finals. When the World Cup call came it took a few days to sink in.”
England team to face Chile: M Smith; H Arundell, E Daly, O Lawrence, M Malins; O Farrell (capt), D Care; B Rodd, T Dan, K Sinckler; D Ribbans, G Martin; L Ludlam, J Willis, B Vunipola.
