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ENGLAND v NEW ZEALAND: THERE IS a school of thought that this is a good time for England to be facing the All Blacks. Nil expectation, soft track, greasy ball etc etc. "Let's be frank, we've got nothing to lose," acknowledged Graham Rowntree, the home side's ever-optimistic scrummaging coach.

He is quite right, which makes it even more disappointing that England are again set to pursue a relatively low-risk selection policy this lunchtime.

At least the towering Simon Shaw will be back in harness, hoping to reproduce his stirring summer deeds in a Lions jersey. Martin Johnson's decision yesterday, however, to send home the Northampton pair Courtney Lawes and Ben Foden has more than a whiff of damage limitation about it. Instead of discovering if the two Saints can resurrect their country's fortunes, Johnson has preferred to keep faith with the largely anonymous Louis Deacon in his matchday 22 and persist with his curious preference for a makeshift full-back.