Inside centre Paul McKenzie, full-back Sean Marsden and back-row Tom Johnson each got two tries.
But the RFU disagreed and persuaded Sarries to switch the former Great Britain skipper to inside centre.
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Erinle comes in at inside centre in place of Northampton's Shane Geraghty to win his first Test start.
Edinburgh inside centre John Houston was left grasping at air as Bowe sprinted home for a converted score.
The inside centre took a high kick and brushed aside two challenges to cross the line with ease.
Ashley-Cooper could come in at inside centre if Matt Giteau moves to scrum-half.
The visitors introduced former England centre Mike Catt at fly-half, with Geraghty shifting to inside centre, on the hour mark.
Meanwhile, England inside centre Toby Flood openly admits he is enduring a week from hell following the defeat by Scotland.
Inside centre Jamie Roberts punched holes in the visitors' defence all evening and fittingly scored the first of nine Blues tries.
The 24-year-old Waratah is a natural fly-half, but he has also proved his versatility at full-back, inside centre and even scrum-half.
Inside centre De Villiers suffered a tournament-ending biceps injury in the Samoa victory and was replaced by Steyn on 43 minutes.
Flutey's strong communication from inside centre and willingness to call moves should help relieve the decision-making responsibility on Jonny Wilkinson at fly-half.
The other change to the England side from the win over Wales sees the fit-again Riki Flutey return as expected at inside centre.
Alan MacDonald wins his first cap at openside flanker and Ben Cairns starts at outside centre, with Alex Grove moving to inside centre.
Henry was non-committal about the prospect, and it could be that Jones will remain as inside centre with Henson gaining the fly-half nod.
By naming the powerful Erinle at inside centre, Johnson has opted for more of a physical presence in midfield than that provided by Geraghty.
Australia have inside centre Matt Giteau and uncapped winger Mark Gerrard available for the one-off Test after they recovered from illness and injury respectively.
Malifa replied with a drop goal and then inside centre Roland Suniula burst through to score a deserved try for the hosts, Malifa converting.
The home side could not build on the score however, and Saints retook the lead when inside centre Downey started and finished a well-worked move.
His injury scare prompted the Lions management to call up Wales' James Hook to provide additional goal-kicking options and cover at fly-half and inside centre.
Cole will take over at tight-head from Bath's David Wilson, while the other change to the starting line-up sees Riki Flutey return at inside centre.
Farrell, 32, will be joined at Sarries by 16-year-old son Owen, like his father an inside centre, who has joined their academy on a three-year deal.
Henson believes he needs a full game in his preferred position of inside centre to stand a chance of featuring against England at the Millennium Stadium.
BBC: Gavin Henson targets England game after domestic return
Wilkinson was picked at inside centre for the first Lions test against New Zealand, despite having only played 20 minutes in that position during the tour.
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Sleightholme also praised Northampton fly-half Geraghty who, despite starting the first two matches at inside centre, was reduced to a role from the bench against New Zealand.
But he has regularly played both No 12 and No 13, whereas James has rarely played at inside centre either with Bridgend or at former club Llanelli.
Alberto Sgarbi is included after a strong start to the season with Treviso, and he will start at inside centre, with Andrea Masi moved out to the wing.
He made 27 starts at full-back, 12 on the right wing, 11 on the left, one at inside centre, two at fly-half and two appearances off the bench.
Other notable omissions from the party that went to the World Cup are Bath fly-half and inside centre Olly Barkley, Perpignan prop Perry Freshwater and Leicester centre Dan Hipkiss.
And Roberts played full-back and wing before finding a home an inside centre where he will partner the great O'Driscoll in the first Test match in Durban on Saturday.
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