Woodward has wielded the axe ahead of Australia's November 10 arrival at Twickenham, meaning that full-back Balshaw, hooker Phil Greening and lock Simon Shaw discovered they were axed when the 26-man squad was announced.

The trio miss out following England's 20-14 Six Nations Championship defeat by Ireland in Dublin 11 days ago.

Flanker Martin Corry, sidelined for Leicester's Heineken Cup appointment with Perpignan last Saturday because of hamstring trouble, also fails to make the squad.

But New Zealander Paul, who qualifies through English grandparents, features after just 80 minutes' action with his new club Gloucester.

Former Bradford Bulls rugby league star Paul, 20-year-old Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson and Northampton hooker Steve Thompson are the uncapped players who gained Woodward's approval.

Leicester flanker Neil Back will captain England against the Wallabies, with Martin Johnson sidelined through a broken hand and Matt Dawson battling for full fitness.

Dawson took over leadership duties from Johnson at Lansdowne Road, but even if a hamstring problem suffered during that game clears up in time, then his place is still under threat, given the joint challenge of Austin Healey and Kyran Bracken.

"I have made a number of changes to the squad that went to Ireland," said Woodward, who was angered by his team's third successive Grand Slam failure after defeats against Wales (1999) and Scotland last year.

"We will select the final 22 next Tuesday, with the four players not selected returning to play for their clubs at the weekend."