Giteau slots back into the centres alongside Stirling Mortlock in a Wallabies side which features 12 of the starting line-up from the World Cup final last November.

Two of the changes from that team are injury-enforced with Joe Roff starting at full-back for Mat Rogers, out with a long-term ankle problem, and Giteau replacing Elton Flatley - so nearly Australia's hero in the final - who broke his wrist playing for Queensland against Scotland.

The other change is tactical after Wallabies coach Eddie Jones ditched his World Cup policy of playing both George Smith and Phil Waugh, Australia's specialist open-side flankers, in the same team.

Radike Samo, the ACT Brumbies revelation who turned down a move to Newcastle after being included in the Wallabies squad, will start at blind-side flanker with Waugh retaining the number seven jersey.

Giteau has won 11 caps for Australia - dating back to his debut off the bench against England at Twickenham in 2002 - but only made two starts.

Jones, though, is confident he is ready to tackle England on Saturday.

"He's played at a high level for a couple of seasons now and is ready for the challenge of starting in a big Test like this one," said Jones.

"It was disappointing for Matt to miss out on a starting opportunity against Scotland last weekend, but he has the experience and skill to step up this weekend.

Jones has also made just one change to the bench from last weekend's victory over Scotland, with blistering Brumbies winger Mark Gerrard included in the Test 22 for the first time after shaking a thigh strain.

"He showed in the Super 12 this season that he's a player with plenty of skill and pace, and I'm confident he'll be able to transfer that into the Test arena," said Jones.

"He's trained well and deserves an opportunity."

Gerrard scored a hat-trick in the Super 12 final and was in the running to start the Wallabies' international season ahead of Wendell Sailor before sustaining the injury in training.

Australia team to play England in Brisbane on Saturday is:

J Roff; W Sailor, S Mortlock, M Giteau, L Tuqiri; S Larkham, G Gregan (captain); B Young, B Cannon, A Baxter, J Harrison, N Sharpe, R Samo, P Waugh, D Lyons
Replacements: M Dunning, J Paul, D Vickerman, G Smith, C Rathbone, M Gerrard, C Latham.