Stuart Lancaster backs Owen Farrell to return to best form

Stuart Lancaster has insisted that out-of-form Owen Farrell will still have a big role to play for England in this weekend's Test against Australia, despite being dropped to the bench.

Billy Twelvetrees has been selected at inside-centre for the Autumn International at Twickenham, with George Ford fielded at fly-half once more.

It is the first time that Farrell has been left out of England's starting lineup since June 2012, although Lancaster has backed the 23-year-old to make an impact from the replacements' bench.

"Owen will play a different role off the bench this week - at 10 or 12," he is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. "We know we can use him in both positions.

Asked how Farrell took the news, Lancaster added: "He accepted it well. He's a great professional and he's very team focussed. He accepted that George [Ford] had played well and that he's not on top form.

"He will contribute from the bench and then go away and work hard with Saracens. I'm sure he will be back."

The Red Rose will be looking to end their November fixtures on a high following defeats against New Zealand and South Africa, and their sole victory against Samoa last time out.