SOUTHAMPTON’S Mike Brown has been named in the England team to face Fiji in the World Cup curtain raiser at Twickenham on Friday.

The former Peter Symonds College student has made head coach Stuart Lancaster’s host team for the Poole A match that will kick-off the World Cup.

The Harlequins full-back has been capped 38 times for England and has been included in an unchanged side that defeated Ireland 21-13 last week.

There’s just one change for the bench, with Rob Webber ahead Jamie George, while Sam Burgess has been named as a replacement.

Lancaster said: "The squad is massively excited to start the World Cup.

"Everyone has worked incredibly hard over the last three months and we are ready.

"All the players have put their hand up in training and the internationals we have played this summer and we are blessed to have such a strong squad to select from against a skilful and powerful Fijian side.

"Friday will be a great occasion for the whole squad and for the country."

England’s starting XV v Fiji: 1. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 33 caps) 2. Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 24 caps) 3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 52 caps) 4. Geoff Parling (Exeter Chiefs, 25 caps) 5. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 40 caps) 6. Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 38 caps) 7. Chris Robshaw (captain, Harlequins, 39 caps) 8. Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby, 29 caps).

15. Mike Brown (Harlequins, 39 caps) 14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 11 caps) 13. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 13 caps) 12. Brad Barritt (Saracens, 23 caps) 11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 16 caps) 10. George Ford (Bath Rugby, 13 caps) 9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 49 caps).

Replacements: 16. Rob Webber (Bath Rugby, 13 caps) 17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 23 caps) 18. Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints, 12 caps) 19. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 24 caps) 20. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 19 caps) 21. Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens, 23 caps) 22. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 31 caps) 23. Sam Burgess (Bath Rugby, 2 caps).