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Last Updated: Wednesday, 16 November 2005, 14:54 GMT
Hodgson fit to face New Zealand
Charlie Hodgson
England coach Andy Robinson has named an unchanged team for Saturday's Test against New Zealand at Twickenham.

Charlie Hodgson retains his place at fly-half despite coming off midway through the second half against Australia with a groin strain.

The centre pairing of Mike Tindall and Jamie Noon are given another chance to impress while Matt Dawson retains the number nine jersey.

The pack are unchanged following an impressive display against Australia.

Robinson has also retained the same replacements with full-back Mark Van Gisbergen, who made his debut against Australia as a blood replacement for Mark Cueto, staying in the squad.

Bath's Olly Barkley came on for Hodgson last weekend and was in line to replace the Sale man if needed.

We have got to apply as much pressure as possible, physically and mentally
England coach Andy Robinson

But Robinson said: "Charlie came through his first session on Wednesday and I'm pretty pleased with the progress he has made.

"He has been involved in the decision-making side of things and we are pretty happy he will be fully fit after Friday's team run."

England won the game against a weakened Australia 26-16 but Robinson knows that his team will need to step up their performance this weekend to cope with the free-scoring All Blacks.

New Zealand are halfway through their bid for a grand slam over the home nations and have already recorded comprehensive wins over Wales and Ireland.

"We have got be more ruthless in our approach," added Robinson. "We dropped off a number of one-on-one tackles in the game against Australia - against New Zealand they will take those.

"They pride themselves in scoring from turnovers and any turnovers we concede we will be on red alert.

"They are going to have ball, but it is about how we defend and making sure we put them to ground.

"We have got to be in their faces. We have got to apply as much pressure as possible, physically and mentally."

Robinson was keen to emphasise however that England must not let their illustrious opponents take focus off their own game.

"In the last year New Zealand have played very well and they deserve to be where they are," he added. "But that does not take away from the fact I have complete belief in the players.

"We made different decisions throughout the game against Australia and in the last 20 minutes the leaders led the side well.

"The game on Saturday will be about putting pressure on them in defence and attack.

"We have to take the game to New Zealand and we believe we have the personnel to do that."


England: J Lewsey (Wasps); M Cueto (Sale), J Noon (Newcastle), M Tindall (Gloucester), B Cohen (Northampton); C Hodgson (Sale), M Dawson (Wasps); A Sheridan (Sale), S Thompson (Northampton), P Vickery (Gloucester); S Borthwick (Bath), D Grewcock (Bath); P Sanderson (Worcester), L Moody (Leicester), M Corry (Leicester, capt).
Replacements: L Mears (Bath), M Stevens (Bath), L Deacon (Leicester), C Jones (Sale), H Ellis (Leicester), O Barkley (Bath), M Van Gisbergen (Wasps).




WATCH AND LISTEN
Interview: England fly-half Charlie Hodgson


Interview: England coach Andy Robinson



SEE ALSO
England pack acclaimed by Jones
12 Nov 05 |  Internationals
Corry applauds England forwards
12 Nov 05 |  Internationals
England player ratings
12 Nov 05 |  Internationals
England 26-16 Australia
12 Nov 05 |  Internationals
England leave out Van Gisbergen
06 Nov 05 |  Internationals
Ireland 7-45 New Zealand
12 Nov 05 |  Internationals
Wales 3-41 New Zealand
05 Nov 05 |  Internationals


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