Sheridan returns in only England change
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Although it’s been four months since England’s last international game, a 21-20 win over Australia in Sydney, coach Martin Johnson is keen to give that side another chance to shine by only making one change for the Test against New Zealand on Saturday.
Andrew Sheridan has been restored to England's starting line-up following a serious shoulder injury which had kept him out of the summer internationals. The loose-head prop replaces Tim Payne, who drops the bench. The Sale forward’s last England game was in the 2009 Six Nations, though he did appear for the Lions in that year's series in South Africa.
“Andrew is a very strong player and we hope to maximise that in the way we want to play and the way we want to use him,” Johnson told a press conference earlier today.
“He had a pretty big injury last season and hasn’t played for us since March 2009. It is going to be a big challenge for our front row.”
Sheridan will join Lewis Moody, who retains the captain's armband, Steve Thompson, Dan Cole, Tom Crofts, Nick Easter; Courtney Lawes and Tom Palmer in a strong forward line which will cause problems for the Kiwi’s.
With Jonny Wilkinson once again picking up his customary shoulder injury, at a time where he looked to be returning to his best, Toby Flood keeps his place at fly-half with Charlie Hodgson making do with a place on the bench.
There are two uncapped players alongside Hodgson on the bench, in the shape of Gloucester lock David Attwood and Leeds flanker Hendre Fourie.
New Zealand, whose 15-game winning streak was ended by Australia in Hong Kong last Saturday, will name their team on Thursday.
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