Centre Henry Slade, absent from all minutes during England's Six Nations earlier this year, returns to the starting line-up against Fiji on Saturday as coach Steve Borthwick seeks to end a run of five straight Test losses.

Slade, aged 33, had voiced frustration at being overlooked for the midfield. He ended the club season strongly, guiding Exeter to the Premiership final.

The change shifts Northampton's Tommy Freeman back to his usual wing role following a year-long trial at outside centre.

Guy Pepper comes in for Tom Curry at openside flanker as the only other alteration to the starting side, while uncapped players Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Noah Caluori and George Kloska stand ready for possible debuts from the bench.

England: M Smith; Freeman, Slade, Atkinson, Feyi-Waboso; F Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Heyes, Coles, Martin, Chessum, Pepper, Earl.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Opoku-Fordjour, Kloska, Curry, Pollock, Mitchell, Janse van Rensburg, Caluori.

Slade joined the matchday squad late for the loss to South Africa last weekend, stepping onto the bench after full-back George Furbank was ruled out by appendicitis.

He entered the field for injured wing Cadan Murley after 54 minutes, and England closed out the 45-21 defeat with the same backline selected for Fiji.

"We have enjoyed a strong week of training and the players have applied themselves well," Borthwick said. "Fiji will test us severely and we must produce our best performance."

The South Africa result followed a poor Six Nations that included defeats to Scotland, Ireland, Italy and France.

Although Borthwick retains support until the 2027 World Cup, further losses would increase pressure on both the coach and the team.

England head to Argentina on 18 July for the final match of the summer Nations Championship.

Pretoria-born Janse van Rensburg qualifies via residency and has impressed in the Premiership, though his selection ahead of English-qualified options has drawn criticism.

Both he and Saracens teenager Caluori featured in a non-cap game versus a France XV last month but remain without Test caps.

Borthwick expressed concern over England's poor aerial display against the Springboks in Johannesburg.

Caluori, who scored 18 tries this season, offers height and leaping ability reminiscent of former Australia full-back Israel Folau.

Jamie George captains the side with Maro Itoje rested, Jack van Poortvliet starts at scrum-half ahead of Alex Mitchell, and Marcus Smith is chosen at full-back over Freddie Steward.

England hold a 9-1 record against Fiji, including a 38-18 victory at Twickenham last November, though Fiji have recorded notable wins in recent encounters.