Haskell handed England call

Johnson makes just one change for Boks clash

Last updated: 18th November 2008

Haskell: Starting spot

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England manager Martin Johnson has recalled James Haskell to the starting XV to face world champions South Africa at Twickenham.

The Wasps blind-side flanker comes in for Leicester Tigers' Tom Croft in the only change to the side which started the 28-14 defeat to Australia on Saturday.

Croft is included among the replacements and is joined on the bench by uncapped Leicester team-mate Jordan Crane, who has replaced Michael Lipman in the squad.

Otherwise, Johnson has kept faith with the front five that struggled to impose themselves against the Wallabies and named the same back division for a third week running.

Haskell was one of the few England players to return from the summer tour of New Zealand with his reputation enhanced after two impressive performances against the All Blacks.

He lost his place to Croft, after making a slow and ill-disciplined start to the season in a struggling Wasps side.

But Haskell made an immediate impression when he came off the bench against the Wallabies and he will offer a more physical presence against the dynamic Springbok back row.

England team: 15 D Armitage, 14 P Sackey, 13 J Noon, 12 R Flutey, 11 U Monye, 10 D Cipriani, 9 D Care; 1 A Sheridan, 2 L Mears, 3 P Vickery, 4 S Borthwick (capt), 5 T Palmer, 6 J Haskell, 7 T Rees, 8 N Easter.
Replacements: 16 D Hartley, 17 M Stevens, 18 S Shaw, 19 T Croft, 20 J Crane, 21 H Ellis, 22 T Flood.