The front row combination which destroyed Australia at last year's Rugby World Cup has been restored with former skipper Phil Vickery recalled for Saturday's Test against the wallabies.

Vickery, on the bench for last Saturday's 39-13 win against the Pacific Islanders at Twickenham, was named to start in the front row in a straight swap with rival prop Matt Stevens.

Elsewhere in the pack, England coach Martin Johnson dropped lock Nick Kennedy with Tom Palmer taking his place in the starting lineup and the experienced Simon Shaw coming onto the bench.

The starting XV features only four players from the team that began England's 12-10 World Cup quarter-final victory over Australia in Marseille in October last year - Vickery, fellow prop Andrew Sheridan, No.8 Nick Easter with Paul Sackey the only surviving back.

Sheridan and Vickery did major damage in wrecking Australia's scrum at the World Cup, having done a similarly destructive job against the Wallabies at Twickenham in 2005.

But Johnson, who captained England to victory over Australia in the 2003 World Cup final in Sydney, denied recent history had played a part in his decision to start with the 32-year-old Vickery.

"Phil is starting at tighthead, we've two good quality props," Johnson said.

"Phil is very fresh, he's in good form. It's a good combination. Matt can have a big impact off the bench."

Vickery said he would continue playing for the national side for as long as possible.

"I love playing rugby and I love playing for England," he said.

"When that candle burns out, I'll let you know."

Johnson added that England had not scrummaged that well in recent games but said Australia's play at the set-piece had improved.

"Australia are very smart, they get the absolute best out of what they've got," he said.

"I don't think we have an advantage at the scrum."

England scrum coach Graham Rowntree added: "Their (Australia's) scrum has improved immensely since the World Cup. We've got to stop harping back to that game. Andrew Sheridan wasn't intimidating enough for me last week."

Sheridan said memories of Marseille were the last thing on his mind.

"It doesn't act as a motivation. I enjoyed the World Cup game but it is all in the past," he said.

Turning to his change in the second-row and on the bench, legendary Leicester and British and Irish Lions lock Johnson stressed:

"We are picking a team to beat Australia. It was good to get Nick in last week but this is not a selection based on what Nick did last week.

"Simon is another very experienced player. We would be happy if Simon started, Nick started, wouldn't miss a beat. Tom Palmer is a good all-round lock forward."

"Our guys are under no illusions about how ferocious a game this will be. We've got to back it (last week's win) up. Consistency is a big thing for us."

Australia hold the Cook Cup following their back-to-back victories over England in June 2006. England last won the trophy in November 2005.

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