English Rugby
Hodgson handed international lifeline
Scrum.com
May 12, 2010
England's Charlie Hodgson is replaced, New Zealand v England, Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, June 14, 2008
Charlie Hodgson makes way during his last international appearance against New Zealand in 2008 © Getty Images
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England manager Martin Johnson insists he had no qualms about recalling Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson after two years in the international wilderness.

The 29-year-old won the last of his 31 England caps against New Zealand in 2008 but a return to form in this season's Guinness Premiership has seen him recalled to the international set-up ahead of England's five-game tour of Australia and New Zealand next month.

"I think his form is good and the things he has had to work on have improved with Sale," said Johnson after confirming his 44-man squad. "This tour is an opportunity for those players who have got international experience but for whatever reason haven't played that much in the last couple of years."

Hodgson, making his first Test start in 19 months, was targeted by the All Blacks' powerful ball-carriers and lasted only 50 minutes of England's 37-20 defeat at Eden Park and was singled out by acting head coach Rob Andrew for criticism who at the time said, "Test rugby is about trying to make sure you don't have many weaknesses because you get found out. That is a challenge for him to address."

But Johnson stressed that they were pleased with how Hodgson has reacted to that setback and urged him to grab his latest opportunity. "Charlie wouldn't have been picked if he didn't have our full confidence. I think his defence has improved. If I didn't I would have taken someone else. The next step is to play with us. He's a guy who we want to give an opportunity to - what more chance do you need on an England tour?"

England come together to play the Barbarians at Twickenham on May 30 before heading Down Under. Johnson's men then face two Tests against the Wallabies and two midweek matches against the Australian Barbarians before meeting the New Zealand Maori in Napier.

Hodgson is joined back in the England squad by Olly Barkley, whose last Test was also that Auckland defeat, David Flatman and David Strettle. Tom Croft will be hoping to recapture his Lions form after an injury-disrupted campaign - and Johnson has challenged the nine uncapped players in the party to break into his World Cup plans.

The England manager believes the build-up to next year's World Cup in New Zealand starts now. "It's probably the strongest squad we have taken down there since 2003-04 in terms of depth," said Johnson.

"We want to give guys a chance to play in a tough environment. It will tough on and off the field in many regards. England v Australia at any sport has always got an edge for us. The guys are looking forward to the tour more than any I can remember. The tour is the start of the build-up to 2011 in terms of selection."

Leeds flanker Hendrie Fourie is among the newcomers after being rewarded for an outstanding season by receiving his first senior England call. "I cannot believe how the last five years have gone for me here in England," said Fourie. "It has been like a fairytale and I do not want it to end any time soon."

England squad to face Australia:

Backs: D Armitage (London Irish), C Ashton (Northampton), M Banahan (Bath), O Barkley (Bath), D Care (Harlequins), M Cueto (Sale Sharks), T Flood (Leicester), B Foden (Northampton), S Geraghty (Northampton), S Hape (Bath), C Hodgson (Sale Sharks), U Monye (Harlequins), J Simpson (Wasps), D Strettle (Harlequins), M Tait (Sale Sharks), M Tindall (Gloucester), D Waldouck (Wasps), R Wigglesworth (Sale Sharks), J Wilkinson (Toulon), B Youngs (Leicester)

Forwards: S Armitage (London Irish), D Attwood (Gloucester), D Cole (Leicester), T Croft (Leicester), P Doran-Jones (Gloucester), N Easter (Harlequins), D Flatman (Bath), H Fourie (Leeds Carnegie), J Golding (Newcastle), D Hartley (Northampton), J Haskell (Stade Francais), C Lawes (Northampton), L Mears (Bath), L Moody (Leicester), T Palmer (Stade Francais), G Parling (Leicester), T Payne (Wasps), C Robshaw (Harlequins), S Shaw (Wasps), S Thompson (Brive), D Ward-Smith (Wasps), R Webber (Wasps), D Wilson (Bath), J Worsley (Wasps)

England Saxons squad to contest the Churchill Cup:

Backs: N Abendanon (Bath), A Allen (Leicester), B Barritt (Saracens), J Clarke (Northampton), A Goode (Saracens), P Hodgson (London Irish), S Myler (Northampton), J Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), O Smith (Montpellier), T Varndell (Wasps), M Young (Newcastle).

Forwards: D Bell (Bath), N Catt (Bath), A Corbisiero (London Irish), P Dowson (Northampton), G Kitchener (Worcester), S Hooper (Bath), T Lindsay (Wasps), L Narraway (Gloucester), D Paice (London Irish), T Rees (Wasps), A Saull (Saracens), G Skivington (Wasps), R Vickers (Newcastle), N Wood (Gloucester), T Wood (Worcester)

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