England head coach Steve Borthwick has named both George Ford and Owen Farrell in his XV for their final Rugby World Cup Pool D match against Samoa on Saturday.

The 2003 champions - who sit top of the section owing to a 71-0 hiding of Chile on September 23 - have already sealed their place in the knockout stages by virtue of Japan's recent success over Samoa.

Borthwick put out an experimental XV for the clash with Chile and has once again rung the changes for this weekend's meeting at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, where Farrell will begin at inside centre.

The Saracens man notched eight conversions in the thumping of Chile and needs just two more points to become England's record points scorer, leaving Jonny Wilkinson (1,179) in his wake.

Meanwhile, Ford - who was among the replacements last time out - will start at fly-half in the same England side as Farrell for the first time in over two-and-a-half years, having not linked up with the captain from the off since March 2021.

Tom Curry is also back from a ban to start at openside flanker, but Henry Arundell - who scored five tries against Chile - is not in Borthwick's selection this time around.

Marcus Smith also drops down to the bench alongside Kyle Sinckler, Danny Care, Billy Vunipola and George Martin, as Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Jonny May and Joe Marchant earn spots in the XV.

England starting lineup: Steward; Marchant, Tuilagi, Farrell (c), May; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, George, Cole, Itoje, Chessum, Lawes, Curry, Earl

Replacements: Dan, Marler, Sinckler, Martin, Vunipola, Care, Smith, Lawrence

Samoa starting lineup: Paia'aua; Ah Wong, Manu, Toala, Fomai; Sopoaga, Taumateine; Jordan Lay, Malolo, Alaalatoa, Slade, Alainu'u'ese, McFarland, Lee, Luatua

Replacements: Lam, James Lay, Alo-Emile, Fa'aso'o, Motuga, Matavao, Lealiifano, Fai'ilagi body check tags ::