England manager Martin Johnson has been given a vote of confidence despite losing two out of three autumn internationals.

Johnson's side brought the curtain down on their end of year campaign with a 19-6 loss at the hands of New Zealand at Twickenham, following defeat against Australia and a poor performance in narrow victory against Argentina. England have scored just one try in those three matches and faced widespread criticism for their performances but Martyn Thomas, chairman of the Rugby FootbAll Union, insists Johnson is the man to take England through to the 2011 World Cup.

England flanker Joe Worsley is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after it was confirmed he tore medial ligaments in his right knee during their defeat to New Zealand at Twickenham.

The Wasps veteran went down awkwardly in a tackle in only the second minute of the 19-6 revserse and had to be replaced by Leicester's Tom Croft.

England manager Martin Johnson has made three changes to his side to face New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday, recalling veteran lock Simon Shaw and dropping youngsters Tom Croft and Shane Geraghty. Johnson has reacted following a dismal display in a 16-9 victory over Argentina last weekend.

Shaw replaces Louis Deacon in the second-row and will play his first Test since the British & Irish Lions tour ended with a victory over the Springboks in Johannesburg. Croft has lost his blindside berth to Joe Worsley while the grunt of Biarritz centre Ayoola Erinle has been preferred to the more expressive Geraghty.

England manager Martin Johnson has launched a staunch defence of his under-fire team ahead of their showdown with New Zealand at Twickenham.

Johnson's side are under increasing pressure after disappointing displays against Australia and Argentina and although they edged out the Pumas for victory the coaches and players have been the subject of stinging criticism.

In particular the position of Johnson and his assistants Brian Smith, John Wells and Mike Ford are under intense scrutiny. Speaking ahead of his side's last outing of the year against the

All Blacks, Johnson admitted errors had been made in the tactical planning for the 16-9 victory over Argentina and understands the reaction to one of England's worst displays in recent memory.

Martin Johnson's England will be looking to stop the rot when they host New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday, having lost seven straight games against the visitors.

The sides last met at Twickenham last autumn, when the visitors ran out 32-6 winners, thanks to two second-half tries from full-back Mils Muliaina and one from Ma'a Nonu.

Although the All Blacks scored three tries to no reply, it was England's lack of discipline that cost them, with four players being sent to the sin bin; Dan Carter kicking five penalties.

New Zealand assistant coach Wayne Smith believes that Martin Johnson should be given credit for stepping up to the plate as England manager.

The former World Cup-winning skipper has been under huge pressure following poor performances against Australia and Argentina but Smith thinks that he has too much 'mana' to fail as a coach.

"When I was over here, Martin was pretty regal," he said. "He has got a huge heart and a lot of what we call 'mana' - spirit and respect. Because of that you can only think it will come right for him. Being a great player does not always translate to being a good manager but the qualities and values of a person does.

England Women have today (Wednesday) named their starting line-up for Saturday's Investec Challenge Double Header against world champions New Zealand, kick-off 445pm at Twickenham Stadium.

England Head Coach Gary Street has brought in Richmond centre Rachael Burford to the starting line-up with Lichfield's Emily Scarratt moving to full back. Saracens' Charlotte Barras also moves to the wing.

England have made three changes in personnel to the side to face New Zealand in the Investec Challenge international at Twickenham on Saturday (2.30pm).

London Wasps lock Simon Shaw, flanker Joe Worsley and Biarritz centre Ayoola Erinle come into the starting line-up and there is a positional switch at full back where Mark Cueto trades places with Ugo Monye.

England Team Manager, Martin Johnson has today called up London Wasps wing Paul Sackey as cover for the back three because David Strettle (Harlequins) has not fully recovered from a rib injury sustained in the LV=Cup a week ago. David continues to be assessed by the Harlequins and England medical teams.

England manager Martin Johnson has warned his side that they face a harsh lesson at the hands of the All Blacks unless they right the wrongs that blighted their narrow victory over Argentina on Saturday.

Johnson's side laboured to an uninspiring 16-9 victory over the Pumas at Twickenham thanks to a late try from winger Matt Banahan but the result failed to mask an error-ridden display from the hosts. And the England boss is all too aware that a similar performance next weekend will be punished far more ruthlessly by the All Blacks.

England laboured to an uninspiring 16-9 victory over Argentina in their clash at Twickenham.

A second-half try from winger Matt Banahan spared England's blushes following a dour contest but his late score failed to disguise another woeful display from Martin Johnson's side. Two penalties and a drop goal from England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson were cancelled out by Pumas centre Martin Rodriguez in an error-ridden opening period dominated by the boot before the desperate hosts conjured a late face-saving score.

England 3 New Zealand 16

England Women will have to wait until Saturday November 21st to have a second chance of conquering the reigning world champions New Zealand after today (Saturday) succumbing to a 16-3 defeat at Esher RFC.

In their first meeting against the Black Ferns since the 2006 Rugby World Cup final England produced a determined and gutsy performance but were let down by ill discipline in the first half which then left them playing catch-up in the second half.

England manager Martin Johnson has made four changes to his side to face Argentina at Twickenham on Saturday.

Bath prop Duncan Bell starts in the front-row for the first time since 2005 after an injury to club-mate David Wilson and he is joined there by Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley.

Paul Hodgson has displaced Danny Care at scrum-half and partners Jonny Wilkinson in an otherwise unchanged back division from the one that started last weekend's defeat to Australia.

Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe will lead Argentina against England at Twickenham on Saturday, taking on his Toulon team-mate Jonny Wilkinson.

Lobbe starts at No.8 in Santiago Phelan's side and is joined in the back-row by openside Alfredo Abadie and blindside Tomas Leonardi. Santiago Fernandez takes the No.10 shirt following Juan Martin Hernandez's withdrawal from the squad with injury.

Paul Hodgson will make his first start for England in the Investec Challenge international against Argentina on Saturday (2.30pm).

The London Irish scrum half, who takes over from Danny Care (Harlequins) to win his fourth cap, is one of four changes made to the side to face the Pumas.

In the front row, Northampton Saints hooker Dylan Hartley and Bath Rugby prop Duncan Bell replace Steve Thompson (Brive) and the injured David Wilson respectively. James Haskell (Stade Francais) is in for Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers) at No.8

The Rugby Football Union's disciplinary chief Judge Jeff Blackett has revealed the Bloodgate scandal at Harlequins shook his faith in the game more than any other incident.

Delivering the annual Sunday Times Obolensky Lecture, Blackett analysed recent issues that have put the spotlight on rugby for the wrong reasons. Warranting a mention were the England sex scandal in New Zealand in 2008, the Bath drugs affair and the Schalk Burger eye-gouging incident during the Lions tour tour. But it was the Bloodgate scandal and subsequent cover-up orchestrated by Harlequins' then director of rugby Dean Richards that topped the pile.

Paul Doran-Jones is set to complete a remarkable rise to international level with a place on the England bench to face Argentina at Twickenham on Saturday.

The prop, who can cover both sides of the scrum, is set to profit from England's lengthening injury list despite his lack of experience at Guinness Premiership level with Gloucester. Injury may rule Bath's David Wilson out of Saturday's showdown, opening the door to Doran-Jones as Phil Vickery, Julian White, Jason Hobson and Andrew Sheridan remain on the injured list.

The England Women's A team to take on the world champions New Zealand on November 17th, kick off 7pm at Esher RFC, has today (Tuesday) been announced.

England A take on the Black Ferns as part of a three test series for the New Zealanders. New Zealand will also play England on November 14th at Esher RFC, kick off 4pm, and at Twickenham Stadium on November 21st as part of the Investec Challenge Double Header. Entry to the game at Twickenham is free after 415pm. Kick off is at 445pm.

England A Head Coach Mike Barnett has selected a strong squad which includes Bristol's Kim Oliver, Wasps' Michaela Staniford and Richmond's Fran Matthews who share 70 caps between them. Saracens' Sonia Green will captain the side. In total there are 11 players in the 22 who have all been capped.

England prop David Wilson (Bath Rugby) is receiving treatment for a neck/shoulder injury sustained against Australia.

Wilson is making good progress and will be reassessed daily by the England medical staff.

Paul Doran-Jones (Gloucester Rugby) has been added to the squad as cover ahead of the Investec Challenge international against Argentina on Saturday, November 14 (2.30pm).

England are now due to announce their team to face the Pumas via the news wires and rfu.com at midday on Wednesday, November 11.

England captain Steve Borthwick has called on his side to discover a ruthless streak following their toothless display against Australia at Twickenham.

Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson kicked England into a first half lead but the hosts lacked a cutting edge and were eventually overhauled by the Wallabies. Fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper crossed for the crucial score and the conversion from Matt Giteau ensured the visitors made a winning start to quest for a grand slam tour.

Borthwick, who was a key component to England's early dominance at the set-piece, believes they must learn how to deliver the knock out blow - and fast - with the challenge of Argentina and then New Zealand awaiting them in the coming weeks.

Australia kicked off their latest tilt at a Grand Slam tour with an impressive 18-9 victory over England at Twickenham.

Tries from man-of-the-match Will Genia and Adam Ashley-Cooper helped the Wallabies retain the Cook Cup and bounce back from a disappointing run of six defeats in their last seven games. The boot of fly-half Jonny Wilkinson had kicked England into a narrow half-time lead but they were unable to sustain their efforts after the break with the battle-hardened visitors notching a fully-deserved success.

Both sides entered the match under pressure to impress but both had been frustrated by injuries in the build up. Wilkinson, whose last Test appearance was during the 2008 Six Nations, was joined in the line-up by fellow 2003 Rugby World Cup winners Steve Thompson and Lewis Moody. Otherwise injury-ravaged England fielded an unfamiliar side with two debutants in Ayoola Erinle and Courtney Lawes included on the bench.

The return of George Smith to the starting XV, and the selection of an entirely new midfield combination featuring Digby Ioane and Quade Cooper, are the key changes to the Qantas Wallabies starting line-up that has been named today for Saturday's Cook Cup Test against England in London.

Smith, the game's fifth most capped player, has swapped roles with the Western Force 21-year-old David Pocock from last week. He will play in his 107th Test.

England manager Martin Johnson has recalled two of his World Cup winning team-mates for their opening November Test against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

Jonny Wilkinson returns at fly-half as expected, while hooker Steve Thompson will start his first Test since the 2006 Six Nations.

There are few rivalries as celebrated as the one between England and Australia. Whether it's rugby, cricket or tiddlywinks, the occasion never lacks for bite.

The latest chapter of England's battle with the Wallabies will unfold at Twickenham on Saturday and we take a look back at some of the greatest showdowns between the two countries in our latest Scrum Seven.

England manager Martin Johnson has recalled two of his World Cup winning team-mates for their opening November Test against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.

Jonny Wilkinson returns at fly-half as expected, while hooker Steve Thompson will start his first Test since the 2006 Six Nations.

Steve Thompson will make his first international start since 2006 when England line up against Australia in the Investec Challenge international at Twickenham on Saturday. (2.30pm).

Brive hooker Thompson is joined by fellow 2003 Rugby World Cup winners Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon) and Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers) in the team to face the Wallabies.

Thompson last started for England against France in the 2006 RBS Six Nations although he did come off the bench against Argentina at Old Trafford in June. He, Wilkinson and Moody will win their 49th, 71st and 54th caps respectively.

England manager Martin Johnson can celebrate after being named as Twickenham's 'Player of the Century', but has been forced to delay naming his side to face Australia by the raft of injuries to have hit the England camp.

Johnson beat competition from Gareth Edwards, Jonah Lomu, Serge Blanco and his England team-mates Richard Hill, Neil Back and Lawrence Dallaglio to the award at Twickenham's centenary dinner.

Earlier however he had announced that the frequency of changes in the England squad due to injury had left the coaching staff requiring more time.

Australia coach Robbie Deans is wary of the influence that England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson will have as they prepare to go head-to-head at Twickenham on Saturday.

Wilkinson is fit and firing for the first time since his last international cap in March 2008 after his summer move to French Top 14 side Toulon.

Deans believes that his return will have a positive impact on an England setup that has been de-stabilised by injury in recent weeks. For once, Wilkinson has not been a concern.

Australia have been warned they are right to fear the return of Jonny Wilkinson ahead of Saturday's showdown with England at Twickenham.

Wilkinson, 30, is back in prime form following a revitalising summer move to Toulon and will be named in an England team for the first time in 18 months on Wednesday.

The following players are leaving the Senior England EPS training camp this afternoon to be available for their clubs this weekend.

The England test side to play Australia in the Investec Challenge series on Saturday, November 7, will be announced tomorrow via the news wires at 12.00pm.

Rob Andrew believes that England's injury problems cannot be used as an excuse as they prepare for a challenging Test series.

Andrew wants England to show progress in meetings with Australia, Argentina and New Zealand despite the squad being shorn of several leading lights.

A full British & Irish Lions capped front-row, Andrew Sheridan, Lee Mears and Phil Vickery, is joined on the treatment table by flanker Tom Rees, fullback Delon Armitage and centre Riki Flutey.

Andrew, England's director of elite rugby, sees the injury cloud as an opportunity to showcase the strength-in-depth of English rugby.

27th October 2009, Scrum.com Simon Shaw has provided some much-needed good news for England manager Martin Johnson, with Wasps confirming that the lock should be fit for a Twickenham date with Argentina on November 14.

Shaw has not played any rugby since the British & Irish Lions tour due to a metatarsal injury, but is slated to make a comeback in Wasps' Guinness Premiership showdown with Leeds on Sunday. He was omitted from Johnson's Elite Player Squad (EPS) for Tests against Australia, the Pumas and New Zealand in order for adequate cover to be preserved, but should he come through this weekend unscathed he will no doubt begin to feature in the international reckoning.

England will play in purple for the first time when they pull on their change strip for the Investec Challenge Series against Argentina at Twickenham on November 14.

Nike’s new change kit for 2009/10 is launched today, drawing on inspiration from the iconic purple tracksuit jacket worn by England players in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.

Three players will be leaving the England training camp at the Pennyhill Park Hotel this evening.

England Team Manager, Martin Johnson has announced the revised 32 man Senior EPS squad to prepare for the Investec Challenge Series matches against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand in November.

Steve Borthwick (Saracens) will captain England for all three games.

Martin Johnson said "The whole squad is looking forward to three very tough games in November.

"Steve has been appointed Captain and I'm sure he will continue to do an excellent job.

England team manager Martin Johnson has included three uncapped players in his revised EPS squad for the autumn internationals, as well as recalling World Cup winners Steve Thompson and Jonny Wilkinson.

Bath prop David Barnes, Leicester Tigers lock Richard Blaze and Northampton's versatile forward Courtney Lawes are the three new faces in the 32-strong squad.

Barnes has earned a first call-up at the age of 32 because of the unavailability of injured trio Phil Vickery, Lee Mears and Andrew Sheridan. Lawes, meanwhile, has been drafted in after it was confirmed that Harlequins No.8 Nick Easter will be out of action for eight weeks after tearing a calf muscle in his side's win over Worcester at the weekend.

Martin Johnson has waded into the debate about cheating in modern rugby by saying that it is "human nature" for players and coaches to push the boundaries.

Speaking to the Global Sports Summit in London, the England team manager said that the infamous 'Bloodgate' scandal that hogged the headlines over the summer was an inevitable consequence of the need to win.

Johnson's former team-mate Dean Richards is serving a three-year worldwide coaching ban after ordering Tom Williams to fake a blood injury during Harlequins' Heineken Cup quarter-final loss to Leinster at the Twickenham Stoop.

England lock Simon Shaw has weighed into the physicality debate, claiming injuries are being caused by unrealistic expectations on players and ball skill is being sacrificed for "gym monkeys".

Shaw insists the sport is suffering from the emphasis on size over technique as England prepare for their autumn schedule without six certain starters - all lost to injury.

The absentees include an entire front row and an alarming number of shoulder injuries, reigniting the debate over player welfare that raged during a brutal Lions tour to South Africa just four months ago.

Phil Vickery has joined his front-row colleagues Andrew Sheridan and Lee Mears on the sidelines in another major blow to England's November Test campaign.

Wasps prop Vickery faces a three month rehab program after it was confirmed that his neck injury required surgery.

Sheridan has been ruled out for four months with a dislocated shoulder while Mears is sidelined with a knee injury. England manager Martin Johnson is also without flanker Tom Rees, centre Riki Flutey and fullback Delon Armitage.