Winning his 53rd cap at the age of 36 the Wasps lock is relishing his comeback “I had lots of fun on the Lions tour and I can’t wait to get back to playing international rugby.” Shaw tells this week’s rfu.com podcast.

Shaw is one of three changes in the starting line-up for Saturday along with flanker Joe Worsley (London Wasps) and Biarritz centre Ayoola Erinle and there is a positional switch at full back where Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks) trades places with Ugo Monye (Harlequins).

“It’s been painful sitting on the sidelines watching for Wasps and for England – I’m just happy to be back.” Shaw added.

“Any All Blacks side will be tough to beat they are the toughest squad in the world regardless of who they put out on the field.

“This is the opportunity to show what we are capable of. These players do it week in and week out for their clubs now we need to go out there and do it in an England shirt.”

Also this week:

*Erinle and Worsley called to action and England Women’s Flanker Maggie Alphonsi prepares to face the Black Ferns at Twickenham on Saturday after the men at 4.45pm.

Listen to the full RFU Podcast here:

London Wasps lock Simon Shaw, flanker Joe Worsley and Biarritz centre Ayoola Erinle come into the starting line-up and there is a positional switch at full back where Mark Cueto trades places with Ugo Monye.

Shaw takes over from Louis Deacon and wins his 53rd cap at the age of 36, former Wasps and Leicester centre Erinle makes his first start in place of Shane Geraghty (Northampton Saints) and experienced Wasps flanker Worsley replaces Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers) in the back row.

Deacon, Croft and Geraghty are all named on the bench with Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks) coming into the 22 for the first time this autumn.

England team

• 15 Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks)
• 14 Matt Banahan (Bath Rugby)
• 13 Dan Hipkiss (Leicester Tigers)
• 12 Ayoola Erinle (Biarritz)
• 11 Ugo Monye (Harlequins)
• 10 Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon)
• 9 Paul Hodgson (London Irish)
• 1 Tim Payne (London Wasps)
• 2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
• 3 Duncan Bell (Bath Rugby)
• 4 Simon Shaw (London Wasps)
• 5 Steve Borthwick (Saracens, captain)
• 6 Joe Worsley (London Wasps)
• 7 Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers)
• 8 James Haskell (Stade Francais)

Replacements

• 16 Steve Thompson (Brive)
• 17 David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
• 18 Louis Deacon (Leicester Tigers)
• 19 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers)
• 20 Danny Care (Harlequins)
• 21 Shane Geraghty (Northampton Saints)
• 22 Mathew Tait (Sale Sharks)

England Women name team to face NZ

England Women have named their starting line-up for Saturday’s Investec Challenge Double Header against world champions New Zealand, kick-off 445pm at Twickenham Stadium.

England Head Coach Gary Street has brought in Richmond centre Rachael Burford to the starting line-up with Lichfield’s Emily Scarratt moving to full back. Saracens’ Charlotte Barras also moves to the wing.

RBS 6 Nations champions England head into the match looking to avenge their 16-3 defeat to the Black Ferns last Saturday, and secure an all important win against the world champions just nine months before the Rugby World Cup kicks-off in London.

Street said: “We have made some changes to freshen up our midfield, and bring something new to the table for this final clash against New Zealand. We learned some important lessons last week, and we know we need to be more disciplined and more effective in everything we do this Saturday. If we do that then we know we have the potential to win this game.

“Playing at Twickenham stadium is a massive opportunity for us to show how good this side is, and how skilful women’s rugby is. Certainly being at home for this crucial match is going to give us that extra five percent on the pitch. We are relishing this opportunity.”

England are without six first choice players for the autumn series with Team Northumbria’s Rochelle Clark (hand) and Katy Storie (back), Lichfield’s Sarah Hunter (arm) and Sarah Beale (back), Worcester’s Karen Jones (knee) and Danielle Waterman (acl) all sidelined with injuries.

Entry to the stadium is free at 4:15pm.

England Team

• 15 Emily Scarratt Lichfield
• 14 Katherine Merchant Worcester
• 13 Claire Allan Richmond
• 12 Rachael Burford Richmond
• 11 Charlotte Barras Saracens
• 10 Katy Mclean (VC) Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
• 9 Amy Turner Richmond
• 1 Claire Purdy Wasps
• 2 Amy Garnett Saracens
• 3 Sophie Hemming Bristol
• 4 Rebecca Essex Richmond
• 5 Joanna McGilchrist Wasps
• 6 Heather Fisher Worcester
• 7 Margaret Alphonsi Saracens
• 8 Catherine Spencer (C) Bristol

Replacements:

• 16 Sam Reeve Worcester
• 17 Rosemarie Crowley Lichfield
• 18 Tamara Taylor Darlington Mowden Park Sharks
• 19 Jane Leonard Team Northumbria / Army
• 20 Georgina Rozario Bristol
• 21 Alice Richardson Richmond
• 22 Fiona Pocock Richmond

Steve Thompson - remarkable comeback

Steve Thompson will make his first international start since 2006 when England line up against Australia in the Investec Challenge international at Twickenham on Saturday. (2.30pm).

Brive hooker Thompson is joined by fellow 2003 Rugby World Cup winners Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon) and Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers) in the team to face the Wallabies.

Thompson last started for England against France in the 2006 RBS Six Nations although he did come off the bench against Argentina at Old Trafford in June. He, Wilkinson and Moody will win their 49th, 71st and 54th caps respectively.

At the start of their international careers are uncapped duo Courtney Lawes and Ayoola Erinle.

Northampton Saints lock Lawes, 20, played for England in the IRB Toshiba Junior World Championship final last summer and was elevated to the Senior EPS as a replacement for injured No.8 Nick Easter following impressive performances in the Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup this season.

Centre Erinle, 29, moved to Biarritz Olympique this summer after spells at London Wasps and Leicester Tigers and was called into the squad last weekend as a replacement for the injured Mike Tindall.

ENGLAND

• 15 Ugo Monye (Harlequins)
• 14 Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks)
• 13 Dan Hipkiss (Leicester Tigers)
• 12 Shane Geraghty (Northampton Saints)
• 11 Matt Banahan (Bath Rugby)
• 10 Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon)
• 9 Danny Care (Harlequins)
• 1 Tim Payne (London Wasps)
• 2 Steve Thompson (CA Brive)
• 3 Dave Wilson (Bath Rugby)
• 4 Louis Deacon (Leicester Tigers)
• 5 Steve Borthwick (Saracens, Captain)
• 6 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers)
• 7 Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers)
• 8 Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers)

REPLACEMENTS

• 16 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
• 17 Duncan Bell (Bath Rugby)
• *18 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
• 19 James Haskell (Stade Francais)
• 20 Paul Hodgson (London Irish)
• 21 Andy Goode (CA Brive)
• *22 Ayoola Erinle (Biarritz Olympique)

*Denotes uncapped player