England's Farrell in at fly-half against NZ
Owen Farrell will be in direct opposition to fellow world player of the year nominee Dan Carter after being named as England's fly-half against New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday.
Farrell has reclaimed the England No 10 shirt for the first time in six tests after Toby Flood was ruled out by a toe injury he suffered in last weekend's 16-15 loss to South Africa.
The inclusion of Farrell, son of England assistant coach Andy Farrell, is the only change to England's starting XV, with the place he held on the bench going to uncapped Gloucester fly-half Freddie Burns.
England coach Stuart Lancaster made one other change among his replacements, recalling fit-again Northampton lock Courtney Lawes in place of Mouritz Botha.
Farrell and former winner Carter were two of the four men named Wednesday on the shortlist for the International Rugby Board's prestigious award, along with All Blacks captain Richie McCaw – himself a previous multiple winner of the prize – and France fly-half Frederic Michalak.
New Zealand named their side earlier Thursday with the world champions including Carter following an Achilles injury, although he must still pass a late fitness test.
The All Blacks are currently on a 20-match unbeaten run and have won nine straight tests against England since a 15-13 home loss shortly before the Red Rose brigade won the 2003 World Cup in Australia.
England, by contrast, are looking to finish 2012 with a flourish following defeats this month by Australia (20-14) and South Africa.
ENGLAND: Alex Goode; Chris Ashton, Manu Tuilagi, Brad Barritt, Mike Brown; Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Ben Morgan, Chris Robshaw (capt), Tom Wood; Geoff Parling, Joe Launchbury; Dan Cole, Tom Youngs, Alex Corbisiero
Replacements: David Paice, David Wilson, Mako Vunipola, Courtney Lawes, James Haskell, Danny Care, Freddie Burns, Jonathan Joseph
