Johnno backs Haskell to face Boks
Updated on 18 November 2008
James Haskell returns to an otherwise unchanged starting line-up for England's clash against South Africa at Twickenham.
The 18-stone Wasps player replaces Tom Croft at blindside flanker. Croft drops to the bench.
New face Jordan Crane replaces Michael Lipman on the bench, but the rest of Martin Johnson's 22 remain the same.
Martin Johnson said the selection was made for the same reasons as Tom Palmer was selected over Nick Kennedy last week - the week after Kennedy's try-scoring debut against the Pacific Islands
"He's just a little bit different in what he can bring to the team," he said. "Tom's played both games and James deserves a chance. It was just getting him that opportunity and this is the right game for him to play.
"When you put guys on the bench, they all want to start, but those guys on the bench generally finish the game so they've got a very important job.
"It's great that we can choose between two young and exciting players."
On his decision to keep the rest of the starting XV, including an unchanged line-up in the backs, Johnson said: "You're reviewing everything all the time, but we want to get some consistency in this team.
"They're aware of the mistakes we made and the errors we've got, and they'll spend this week trying to correct them."
Johnson also gave his verdict on last Saturday's 28-14 defeat to Australia saying "It only takes a momentary lapse in concentration for things to break down at that level.
"There are lots of positives for us. As I said on Saturday after the game, those little negatives and guys going occasionally off script in the heat of the battle - that affect the rest of the team and we just need to put those right.
"Every scrummage last week probably ended up on the floor at least once, if not twice. I think you'll see a very different game this week and it will be a proper scrummage contest."
This will be England's first match against South Africa since losing the World Cup final 15-6 last year. South Africa has postponed naming their team until Thursday because of injury concerns.
England: Delon Armitage, Paul Sackey, Jamie Noon, Riki Flutey, Ugo Monye, Danny Cipriani, Danny Care; Andrew Sheridan, Lee Mears, Phil Vickery, Steve Borthwick (captain), Tom Palmer, James Haskell, Tom Rees, Nick Easter
Replacements: Dylan Hartley, Matt Stevens, Simon Shaw, Tom Croft, Jordan Crane, Harry Ellis, Toby Flood
Gatland recalls line-up for All Blacks
Wales coach Warren Gatland has recalled the entire starting XV that lost 20-15 to South Africa two weeks ago for their clash with New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium.
James Hook's position on the bench is still to be confirmed amidst fear over a knee injury. Stephen Jones will start in the number 10 shirt.
Wales: Lee Byrne; Leigh Halfpenny, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams, Stephen Jones, Gareth Cooper; Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Adam Jones, Alun-Wyn Jones, Ian Evans, Ryan Jones (captain), Martyn Williams, Andy Powell.
Replacements: Richard Hibbard, John Yapp, Luke Charteris, Dafydd Jones, Dwayne Peel, James Hook/Dan Biggar, Andrew Bishop
Scotland makes five changes for Canada
Chris Paterson, Thom Evans and Jason White will all miss Scotland's match against Canada after injury during last week's loss to South Africa.
Simon Taylor will return to the no 8 shirt after injury, with new players Simon Webster, Nikki Walker and Alasdair Strokosch gaining their first caps. Rory Lamont will play at full-back.
Evan's elder brother, Max, on the bench for the first time.
Scotland: Rory Lamont, Simon Webster, Ben Cairns, Nick De Luca, Nikki Walker, Phil Godman, Mike Blair (captain); Allan Jacobsen, Ross Ford, Euan Murray, Nathan Hines, Jim Hamilton, Alasdair Strokosch, Simon Taylor, John Barclay
Replacements: Dougie Hall, Alasdair Dickinson, Matt Mustchin, Scott Gray, Rory Lawson, Dan Parks, Max Evans.
Ireland will confirm their 22 to face Argentina this weekend on Thursday.
