Wilkinson will hope to silence the sceptics on Sunday with a solid display after criticism of his, and England's, performance in the local media here.
The Islanders are dangerous runners but do not have the forward strength to cause England serious harm and their task has been made even tougher by the changes Woodward has made.
Up front, he has named a new front row - Jason Leonard, Mark Regan and Julian White all coming in. Johnson is in the second row with regular partner Ben Kay while Joe Worsley takes over from Lewis Moody in the back row as Richard Hill's hamstring needs another week's treatment and rest.
Matt Dawson has shrugged off the knee injury that kept him out of the South Africa match and partners Wilkinson at half-back while Stuart Abbott comes in at centre. Iain Balshaw will play on the right wing with Jason Robinson moving to full-back in place of Josh Lewsey, who is rested.
Catt is chosen on the replacements bench with Martin Corry included as second-row cover. Woodward has opted to turn his bench into a powerful group of impact players completed by Steve Thompson, Phil Vickery, Moody, Andy Gomarsall and Dan Luger.
Woodward added: "This game is a big chance for the players to put in a bid for selection later in the Cup. It's a big chance for Iain Balshaw and also Joe Worsley. They were close calls for the South Africa game."
With France becoming the latest rugby nation Down Under to complain about what they consider to be illegal English play at the break-downs, Johnson & Co will have to be on their best behaviour to avoid further verbal lashings here.
Michael Jones, the Samoa assistant coach and All Black legend, is looking to his Christian beliefs for inspiration ahead of the game. He said: "We are big believers in the David v Goliath story. We actually believe it's true."
England centre Will Greenwood, who flew home a week ago to be with his pregnant wife Caro, is expected to return to Australia early next week.
ENGLAND: J Robinson; I Balshaw S Abbott, M Tindall, B Cohen; J Wilkinson, M Dawson; J Leonard, M Regan, J White, M Johnson (capt), B Kay, J Worsley, L Dallaglio, N Back.
Replacements: M Catt, D Luger, A Gomarsall, S Thompson, P Vickery, M Corry, L Moody.
