Hodgson making progress
Andy Robinson is confident that fly-half Charlie Hodgson will be fit to face New Zealand.
England v New Zealand, Saturday November 19, live on Sky Sports 1, 2.30pm
England head coach Andy Robinson is confident that fly-half Charlie Hodgson will be fit to face New Zealand in Saturday's Twickenham showdown.
And even if Hodgson fails to make it, Robinson categorically ruled out a call-up for England's World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson, who has not pulled on the white shirt since kicking the drop goal that won the Webb Ellis Trophy in Sydney two years ago.
"Charlie is the only doubt at present," said Robinson. "He has responded well to treatment, but we will take 24 hours before we fully decide."
Bath's Olly Barkley would probably be the man to come in if Hodgson fails to make it, but Robinson is keen to stick with the side which beat Australia 26-16 last week.
"We will be looking to keep the same side together, but we've just got to look at the injury situation and the combinations," Robinson added.
"We've reviewed what we did at the weekend, and this is a different challenge we are facing. It is important that we get a team out that can match the challenge of the All Blacks and try and dominate them."
Following comprehensive victories over Wales and Ireland, the All Blacks are hot favourites to claim a third leg of the Grand Slam on Saturday. Robinson is expecting a tough examination from the Tri-Nations champions.
"We certainly will have to lift everything we do in all areas," Robinson said. "There is one part of our game that we know the All Blacks will put us under severe pressure on, and we therefore have to carefully control the ball and we definitely must try and get dominance up front.
"The New Zealand scrum is particularly strong at present, and their forward and lineout play is exceptional.
"Throughout the whole game, there are going to be a lot of questions asked of us, and we will be under constant pressure, but it is all about how we deal with it."
