Martin Johnson has reclaimed the England captaincy for Saturday week's Twickenham showdown with Tri-Nations champions New Zealand.
The Leicester and Lions lock saw his club colleague Neil Back lead England in their final two Six Nations games last season, and Gloucester prop Phil Vickery took charge against Argentina in June when Johnson was rested.
But the 32-year-old, the most capped second row forward in English rugby history, was always going to be reappointed provided he was injury-free and on form.
Johnson missed England's Six Nations appointment with Wales in March because of suspension and was among the substitutes against Italy a fortnight later.
England boss Clive Woodward, who today named a 30-man squad for the November Tests against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, has also appointed Vickery and fly-half Jonny Wilkinson as vice-captains.
England 30-man squad for Investec Challenge Tests against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa:
Backs:J Robinson (Sale Sharks), T Stimpson (Leicester), B Cohen (Northampton), P Christophers (Bristol Shoguns), J Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), M Garvey (Gloucester), A Healey (Leicester), W Greenwood (Harlequins), M Catt (Bath), M Tindall (Bath), B Johnston (Saracens), J Wilkinson (Newcastle, vice-captain), M Dawson (Northampton), A Gomarsall (Gloucester).
Forwards:T Woodman (Gloucester), G Rowntree (Leicester), J Leonard (Harlequins), P Vickery (Gloucester, vice-captain), S Thompson (Northampton), M Regan (Leeds), D West (Leicester), M Johnson (Leicester, captain), B Kay (Leicester), D Grewcock (Bath), S Shaw (Wasps), R Hill (Saracens), L Moody (Leicester), N Back (Leicester), L Dallaglio (Wasps), J Forrester (Gloucester).
PA