Wilkinson back for England

Bagshot - Jonny Wilkinson and Steve Thompson were re-united in an England team for the first time since the 2003 World Cup final win over Australia after being named in Saturday's side to play the Wallabies.

Injury-hit England's starting team for this weekend's match at Twickenham boasted just four survivors in backs Ugo Monye and Danny Care, together with forwards Steve Borthwick, still the captain, and Tom Croft, from last season's corresponding fixture, which Australia won 28-14.

England manager Martin Johnson, who was Thompson's World Cup winning captain six years ago, has lost nearly two teams' worth of players because of injuries for this month's Tests against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand, including his first-choice front row.

Thompson retired in April 2007 after a neck operation but the now 31-year-old returned months later to play for Brive, having initially joined the French club as a coach.

He did make a brief England return with an appearance off the bench late-on in June's 37-15 win over Argentina but this was seen as a stop-gap effort.

Ironically, given his injury problems since landing the winning drop-goal in the 2003 World Cup final, fly-half Wilkinson - also now playing his club rugby in France, for Toulon - is currently fully fit and in fine form following his pre-season move from Newcastle.

Several of England's starting side announced at the squad's training base have yet to reach double figures when it comes to Test appearances.

Australia are due to announce their side on Thursday.

England:

Ugo Monye, Mark Cueto, Dan Hipkiss, Shane Geraghty, Matt Banahan, Jonny Wilkinson, Danny Care, Jordan Crane, Lewis Moody, Tom Croft, Steve Borthwick (captain), Louis Deacon, David Wilson, Steve Thompson, Tim Payne

Replacements: Dylan Hartley, Duncan Bell, Courtney Lawes, James Haskell, Paul Hodgson, Andy Goode, Ayoola Erinle