Courtney Lawes has been recalled to the England squad for Saturday’s Test against the All Blacks at Twickenham.
And coach Stuart Lancaster has admitted he is ‘delighted’ to see the Northampton man back in the international frame.
The giant lock has been named on the replacements bench for the New Zealand showdown, with club-mate Tom Wood keeping his place in the starting XV.
If Lawes gets on to the field of play, it will only be his second appearance for England in an injury-hit 2012.
Lawes made just one substitute appearance in the Six Nations in the spring, missed the summer tour to South Africa, and has missed the three autumn internationals to date.
And Lancaster admitted: “We are delighted that Courtney has got an opportunity.
“He has worked hard to get back in contention and what better game for him to make an impact?”
Elsewhere, Owen Farrell will start opposite fellow world player of the year nominee Dan Carter after being confirmed as England’s starting fly-half against New Zealand.
Farrell has reclaimed the England number 10 jersey for the first time in six Tests after Toby Flood was sidelined by a toe injury he suffered in last weekend’s 16-15 defeat to South Africa.
England will otherwise start with an unchanged team, although Lawes and the uncapped Gloucester fly-half Freddie Burns come onto the bench.
New Zealand also named their team this morning and Carter will start at Twickenham after recovering from an Achilles injury, as the All Blacks aim to extend a 20-Test unbeaten run.
England head into their final game of the QBE autumn series on the back of frustrating defeats to Australia (20-14) and South Africa.
England team to play New Zealand in the QBE autumn international at Twickenham on Saturday, December 1 (kick-off 2.30pm): A Goode (Saracens); C Ashton (Saracens), M Tuilagi (Leicester), B Barritt (Saracens), M Brown (Harlequins); O Farrell (Saracens), B Youngs (Leicester); A Corbisiero (London Irish), T Youngs (Leicester), D Cole (Leicester), J Launchbury (Wasps), G Parling (Leicester), T Wood (Northampton), C Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), B Morgan (Gloucester). Replacements: D Paice (London Irish), D Wilson (Bath), M Vunipola (Saracens), C Lawes (Northampton), J Haskell (Wasps), D Care (Harlequins), F Burns (Gloucester), J Joseph (London Irish).
 |  |