Erinle enters as Cueto takes over at full-back
Ayoola Erinle called into England's starting XV
Wednesday, 18, Nov 2009 11:57
By Alistair Potter.
England coach Martin Johnson has shaken up his backs ahead of Saturday's visit of New Zealand by moving Mark Cueto to full-back and calling up Biarritz centre Ayoola Erinle.
Erinle replaces Shane Geraghty after the Northampton fly-half's struggles to adapt at inside centre against Australia and Argentina in the autumn internationals so far.
Harlequins' Ugo Monye returns to his favoured position on the wing after a torrid time at full-back in the last two games, meaning Cueto comes in from the left flank to fill the berth left open due to Delon Armitage's injury.
Monye has come in for intense criticism of his defensive capabilities and his ability to field high balls since moving to 15, and Johnson's selection suggests the coach is concerned over his prospects of surviving against the All Blacks.
There are two other changes from the side that beat Argentina 16-9 last weekend, with Wasps forwards Simon Shaw and Joe Worsley replacing second row Louis Deacon and flanker Tom Croft, respectively.
Scrum-half Paul Hodgson continues his half-back partnership with automatic choice Jonny Wilkinson, while Johnson keeps faith with a front-row of Tim Payne and Duncan Bell at prop and hooker Dylan Hartley.
James Haskell retains his spot at number eight while Deacon, Croft and Geraghty are all named on the replacements bench.
Sale Sharks utility back Mathew Tait wins a place in the matchday 22 for the first time this autumn.
Full England team to face New Zealand:
15 Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks)
14 Matt Banahan (Bath)
13 Dan Hipkiss (Leicester Tigers)
12 Ayoola Erinle (Biarritz)
11 Ugo Monye (Harlequins)
10 Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon)
9 Paul Hodgson (London Irish)
1 Tim Payne (Wasps)
2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
3 Duncan Bell (Bath)
4 Simon Shaw (Wasps)
5 Steve Borthwick (Saracens, captain)
6 Joe Worsley (Wasps)
7 Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers)
8 James Haskell (Stade Francais)
Replacements
16 Steve Thompson (Brive)
17 David Wilson (Bath)
18 Louis Deacon (Leicester Tigers)
19 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers)
20 Danny Care (Harlequins)
21 Shane Geraghty (Northampton Saints)
22 Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks)