England team news delayed

Johnson: hit by injuries

England v Australia
Saturday 2.30pm, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1

Related links

Teams

• England

Also see

• Sky Sports experts
• Rugby on Sky
• Live scores
• Video highlights

England manager Martin Johnson has been forced to delay announcing his team for Saturday's Investec Challenge against Australia.

Johnson has pushed the announcement back 24 hours to noon on Wednesday, after a lengthy injury list cost England a third of their senior elite squad, including seven virtually guaranteed starters.

Johnson had to make 11 changes to his squad last week and then allowed seven players to return to their clubs for Guinness Premiership duty last weekend.

As a result, Johnson and the England management team are yet to finalise their team.

Johnson explained: "Due to a number of players joining and leaving the squad over the last few days, we have not reached a final decision on our 22 for Saturday's Investec Challenge match against Australia.

"Therefore we have decided to delay naming the Test side until Wednesday."

However despite the disruptions - which have robbed England of the services of the likes of Lee Mears, Andrew Sheridan, Phil Vickery, Simon Shaw, Nick Easter, Riki Flutey and Delon Armitage - Johnson believes his revamped squad has a good balance.

"If we perform how we can we will give ourselves a chance of winning," said Johnson.

"Some young players now have a chance and we have brought back some older players. There is a good blend in the squad."