England v New Zealand, Twickenham, November 21
Shaw and Tait survive cut
Scrum.com
November 17, 2009
England lock Simon Shaw, Scotland v England, Six Nations Championship, Murrayfield, Edinburgh, March 8, 2008
Simon Shaw is back in the mix for England © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Courtney Lawes | Simon Shaw | Mathew Tait
Tournaments/Tours: New Zealand tour
Teams: England | New Zealand

Simon Shaw and Mathew Tait look set to play some part in England's showdown with New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday after being retained in the squad by Martin Johnson.

Sale's Tait could be an option at fullback or outside-centre, perhaps hinting at a more attacking mindset, while Shaw is likely to slot in to the second-row alongside skipper Steve Borthwick. Shaw has not played a Test since the British & Irish Lions tour and has recently returned to action with Wasps following injury.

Promising Northampton lock Courtney Lawes will not add to his one appearance after being released from the squad along with nine other players.

Wasps have been boosted by the news that Paul Sackey will be available for their trip to top-of-the-table Saracens on Sunday while Ben Kay, George Chuter and Jordan Crane all return to Leicester in time for Friday's match at Gloucester.

Northampton welcome back Ben Foden as well as Lawes. Steffon Armitage (London Irish), David Flatman (Bath), Andy Goode (Brive) and Richard Wrigglesworth (Sale) have also been released for domestic duty.

"Shawsy is back in the mix. If he gives anything like he gave the Lions in that second Test, I will be happy," said scrum coach Graham Rowntree.

Players Released: Steffon Armitage (London Irish), George Chuter (Leicester Tigers), Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers), David Flatman (Bath Rugby), Ben Foden (Northampton Saints), Andy Goode (CA Brive), Ben Kay (Leicester Tigers), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Paul Sackey (London Wasps), Richard Wigglesworth (Sale Sharks)

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