Danny Cipriani was dropped to the bench by England manager Martin Johnson in one of three changes to the team to face the All Blacks at Twickenham on Saturday.
Cipriani, who has seen three charged down kicks lead to opposition tries in his last five Tests, endured a torrid match in the 42-6 loss to world champions South Africa at Twickenham last Saturday — England’s heaviest home defeat.
His place was taken by Toby Flood, a replacement in all three of England’s internationals so far this season. Of Flood’s 21 caps to date, 11 have come off the bench.
PHOTO: AP
England’s other changes were in the pack with openside flanker Michael Lipman replacing Tom Rees and Nick Kennedy, who made a try-scoring debut in England’s victory over the Pacific Islanders earlier this month, returning in place of Tom Palmer, who suffered a calf injury against the Springboks.
New Zealand-born center Riki Flutey was included in the starting line-up to face the All Blacks despite going off against South Africa with a hamstring injury.
England need an improbable win over the All Blacks, the world’s No.1 ranked team, to break into the top four of the standings and the top four of Monday’s draw for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
If they remain outside the top four they run the risk of being drawn alongside one of the southern hemisphere giants of the All Blacks, South Africa and Australia in the pool phase in New Zealand in three years’ time.
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