Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Andrew Sheridan will return to the England front row after a 20-month absence for Saturday's showdown with New Zealand after recovering from shoulder surgery.
Sheridan's inclusion at loose-head prop in place of Tim Payne is the only change England manager Martin Johnson has made to the side which started the 21-20 victory over Australia in June.
Lewis Moody has been retained as captain after recovering from a serious eye injury.
England's back division will be the same that laid the foundations for that victory over the Wallabies in Sydney.
Shontayne Hape, the former New Zealand rugby league international, will face his countrymen at inside centre. Hape, Ben Foden, Chris Ashton, Ben Youngs and Courtney Lawes all make their first Test starts at Twickenham.
Sheridan featured in two British and Irish Lions Tests in the summer of 2009 but dislocated his shoulder in October and missed the rest of last season.
England's tight-five destroyed Australia's rookie pack during the summer but the All Blacks will be a far more dangerous animal.
Payne has dropped out of the 22-man squad altogether with Bath prop David Wilson providing front-row back-up from the bench.
Wilson is joined among the replacements by two uncapped players in Gloucester's gnarly lock Dave Attwood and the Leeds flanker Hendrie Fourie, who has replaced James Haskell in the 22-man squad.
With Jonny Wilkinson injured, Charlie Hodgson returns to an England Test squad for the first time since the summer tour of New Zealand in 2008.
Johnson believes Sheridan could be a key figure against a powerful All Blacks outfit.
He said: "He is a very strong player and we feel we can get more out of Andy.
"He has done pretty well but has not played for a long time for us due to injury.
"They are a big unit so it's going to be a big challenge."
Johnson dismissed the theory that New Zealand's last-gasp defeat to Australia in the final Bledisloe Cup clash of 2010 in Hong Kong at the weekend will adversely affect the tourists' mentality at Twickenham on Saturday.
He added: "It was an intense game. When you are playing against the top sides in the world, mistakes get punished.
"If you get it wrong defensively they will punish you.
"But that's the challenge when you play the All Blacks, they don't lose many.
"Margins are tight, Australia have got better as they have gone through the season, they won with the last kick of the game but that's the nature of it.
"New Zealand are a pretty mature team. They will see the mistakes they made, players have got to get it right for 80 minutes. I don't think it will affect their self-belief."
Johnson warned that tactically England must not leave themselves open to ruthless All Blacks counter-attacks.
"We need to be calm on the field," he stressed. "We cannot be headless. If you do that they will pick you off."
Johnson is aware that England will have to hit the ground running to live with the All Blacks who have match time under their belts.
"They have had a game but they have also had to travel. We have had two weeks of preparations. Now we've got to get on the field and do it.
England team to play New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday, November 6; kick-off 2.30pm:
B Foden (Northampton); C Ashton (Northampton), M Tindall (Gloucester), S Hape (Bath), M Cueto (Sale); T Flood (Leicester), B Youngs (Leicester); A Sheridan (Sale), S Thompson (Leeds), D Cole (Leicester), C Lawes (Northampton), T Palmer (Stade Francais), T Croft (Leicester), L Moody (Bath, capt), N Easter (Harlequins).
Replacements: D Hartley (Northampton), D Wilson (Bath), D Attwood (Gloucester), H Fourie (Leeds), D Care (Harlequins), C Hodgson (Sale), D Armitage (London Irish).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments