Hape

A good performance at Twickenham, with Farrell senior backing his cause, could well propel the 25-year-old into the senior squad at the expense of Shontayne Hape, Riki Flutey and Mike Tindall.

Brad Barritt leads Saracens charge for England spots at Harlequins 2011

Flood skips past a tackle or two and a couple of phases later Hape goes over once more.

Rugby World Cup 2011: England v Georgia – live! | John Ashdown 2011

Since then Johnson has constantly resisted the temptation to repeat the experiment, picking Tindall, Hape and Riki Flutey instead.

Rugby World Cup 2011: England drop Courtney Lawes and James Haskell 2011

As for inside centre, the elevation of the South-African-reared Barritt, a consistently direct presence for Saracens this year, will not prevent Shontayne Hape from wearing 12 against New Zealand.

Jonny Wilkinson's injury brings England call-up for Charlie Hodgson Robert Kitson 2010

England are under pressure to make faster starts to their matches but the most intriguing switch is in midfield where Martin Johnson has preferred Flood to Shontayne Hape as Tindall's replacement.

Rugby World Cup 2011: England drop Courtney Lawes and James Haskell 2011

They have already found a way to bypass their slightly inelegant midfield, where Mike Tindall and Shontayne Hape are more of the tank-stopping school of centres.

Six Nations 2011: No need to turn tank-stoppers into ballerinas | Eddie Butler 2011

The decision might have cost Edinburgh the game, but for Shontayne Hape.

Edinburgh win at London Irish despite tries ruled out by video 2011

It was a no-brainer for us to come up and show our support, said Johnson, who was accompanied by England's Lewis Moody, Shontayne Hape, Lee Mears, Alex Corbisiero and David Wilson.

Rugby World Cup 2011: England lend support to ravaged Christchurch 2011

When it was ruled out, Edinburgh were awarded a penalty, which Laidlaw kicked, because Hape had shoulder-charged Sean Cox during the move that led to Visser diving for the line.

Edinburgh win at London Irish despite tries ruled out by video 2011

It was not a happy return to Premiership duty for the full-back, or for Shontayne Hape.

London Irish 12-13 Bath | Aviva Premiership match report 2011