George Ford is expected to keep his place for England against Australia on Saturday after impressing in his first England start in the victory over Samoa last weekend.
The fly-half also produced an inventive display in the 28-9 win, in which England’s regular No 10 Owen Farrell struggled after switching to inside centre.
Ford, 21, also landed five of his seven goal kicks, suggesting England could cope without the trusty boot of Farrell as they look to play a more attractive brand of rugby.
“George has earned the right to start again,” coach Stuart Lancaster said. “He’s played well enough for that. It was a really good start for him.
“His execution, when we decided to kick, was excellent, his goal-kicking was good and defensively, he was strong.”
Although Lancaster praised Farrell for guiding Ford during Saturday’s victory, he hinted that he could miss out against Australia, arguably the most important of England’s autumn Tests, since the two nations are in the same group at next year’s World Cup.
Billy Twelvetrees was England’s first-choice inside centre during this year’s Six Nations and Kyle Eastmond wore the No 12 shirt against New Zealand and South Africa.
Twelvetrees replaced a disappointing Farrell late against Samoa and could form yet another centre partnership with Ford this weekend as Lancaster tinkers again with his back division.
“The combinations are certainly going to be thought about a lot over the next six to 12 months,” Lancaster said.
“[This weekend], the options surround Billy and Owen at 12. Billy impressed me from the bench, he did well and brought good energy to the team.”
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