Jonah Lomu retains his place in the side

Wellington full-back Christian Cullen, who missed last year's tour to Scotland, Ireland and Argentina, returns to the party.

Wing Jonah Lomu was also named in the squad, reducing his chances of appearing in the Commonwealth Games sevens tournament.

Mitchell's initial selection is likely to go forward to the Tri-Nations series, the dates of which clash with the Manchester Games.

Lomu will only be available for sevens if he is dropped from the senior squad.

Otago Highlanders prop Joe McDonnell is the only newcomer in the team.

Mitchell said he wants to develop a pool of players to be ready for the World Cup in October 2003.

"I want players who are prepared to challenge themselves and each other in the build-up," he said.

The 26-man squad will be cut to 22 to prepare for the first game of the season, against Italy in Hamilton on 8 June.

New Zealand squad

Leon MacDonald (Canterbury), Christian Cullen (Wellington), Doug Howlett (Auckland), Tana Umaga (Wellington), Caleb Ralph (Canterbury), Mark Robinson (Canterbury), Daryl Gibson (Canterbury), Aaron Mauger (Canterbury), Jonah Lomu (Wellington), Andrew Mehrtens (Canterbury), Justin Marshall (Canterbury), Byron Kelleher (Otago), Scott Robertson (Canterbury), Taine Randell (Otago), Marty Holah (Waikato), Richie McCaw (Canterbury), Reuben Thorne (Canterbury, captain), Norm Maxwell (Canterbury), Chris Jack (Canterbury), Simon Maling (Otago), Greg Somerville (Canterbury), Kees Meeuws (Auckland), David Hewett (Canterbury), Joe McDonnell (Otago), Tom Willis (Otago), Mark Hammett (Canterbury)