Maro Itoje returns to captain England in Saturday's Calcutta Cup clash against Scotland.
Itoje began Saturday's on the bench following the recent death of his mother, but he has been recalled to the starting XV in one of two changes made by Steve Borthwick ahead of the trip to Murrayfield.
The England skipper, who replaces Alex Coles at second row, received a huge reception when he came on as a 50th‑minute substitute at Allianz Stadium, only to be sin‑binned almost immediately due to repeated infringements by his team.
Jamie George, who deputised as captain in Itoje's absence, makes way for Luke Cowan‑Dickie at hooker in the other change.
Northampton fly‑half Fin Smith, who missed the visit of Wales due to a calf problem, has recovered and takes Marcus Smith's place on the bench, but the trip to Murrayfield comes too soon for Ollie Lawrence, despite the Bath centre returning to training after knee trouble.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's continued absence with a hamstring injury means Henry Arundell, fresh from his hat-trick against Wales, and Tom Roebuck retain their places on the wing.
England, who broke Scotland's four-year stranglehold on the Calcutta Cup with a last February, seek their first win in Edinburgh since 2020.
Speaking ahead of the 144th meeting with Scotland, Borthwick - who has yet to win at Murrayfield as England head coach - said: "Playing Scotland at Murrayfield is always a fantastic occasion and a challenge we are relishing.
"We made a pleasing start to the Championship, but we understand that we must continue to raise our standards. The squad has trained with focus and determination this week, and we're excited for the opportunity to test ourselves again on Saturday."
Starting XV: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Tom Roebuck, 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 Henry Arundell, 10 George Ford, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3 Joe Heyes, 4 Maro Itoje (captain), 5 Ollie Chessum, 6 Guy Pepper, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Ben Earl.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Alex Coles, 20 Tom Curry, 21 Henry Pollock, 22 Ben Spencer, 23 Fin Smith.
Your Site News' James Cole at Pennyhill Park:
"England are in seriously hot form having won 12 games in a row but Scotland have been a problem for them recently. They have won three of the last four Calcutta Cup matches in Edinburgh, with England last winning there in 2020.
"England have made huge strides over the past 18 months but this match presents another important measure of their progress under Borthwick.
"We will get a real litmus test if they can win in the cauldron of Murrayfield, where the pressure is on Scotland and head coach Gregor Townsend after their defeat in Italy."
Steve Borthwick was surprised by the scrutiny of Gregor Townsend's position as Scotland boss.
Former national team captain John Barclay declared this week that if they fail to finish in the top three then it "becomes a necessity to see a change".
Townsend was unable to guide Scotland out of the group stage of the 2019 and 2023 World Cups and has never finished higher than third in the Six Nations during his nine years in charge.
But Borthwick said ahead of England's attempt to claim a first win at Murrayfield since 2020: "Gregor Townsend is a wonderful coach.
"I was told recently that he has the best win record of any Scotland coach in the professional era. Sir Ian McGeechan had two spells and Gregor sits above that.
"The way he has coached the attack they have and the way they move the ball, when they do that they look terrific.
"I have immense respect for him as a coach and I find it surprising that people are not spending more time talking about Scotland rather than not supporting their coach.
"He's a phenomenal coach and they should spend more time supporting him."
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