Joseph, 20, had been due to make his first appearance at this level but the London Irish centre makes way because of a groin injury.

“He was experiencing a little soreness when he joined us and aggravated things when he slipped in training,” said Saxons coach Jon Callard.

“He might have played through it but it’s in everyone’s best interests to err on the side of caution given that he has just returned from a long lay-off.

"JJ has got a bright future but as he’s just come back from a different injury we wouldn’t want to compound his problems.”

London Wasps centre Waldouck, 24, toured New Zealand (2008) and Australia (2010) with the senior England side. He made his debut for the Saxons in 2009 against Portugal and this will be his seventh appearance for the side.

England Saxons: 15 Nick Abendanon (Bath Rugby); 14 Ugo Monye (Harlequins), 13 Dominic Waldouck (London Wasps), 12 Billy Twelvetrees (Leicester Tigers), 11 Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby); 10 Ryan Lamb (Northampton Saints), 9 Ben Spencer (Saracens); 1 Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby), 2 Chris Brooker (Harlequins), 3 Paul Doran-Jones (Northampton Saints), 4 Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers), 5 George Robson (Harlequins), 6 James Gaskell (Sale Sharks, captain), 7 Andy Saull (Saracens), 8 Tom Johnson (Exeter).

Replacements: 16 Joe Gray (Harlequins), 17 Rupert Harden (Gloucester Rugby), 18 Kearnan Myall (Sale Sharks), 19 David Seymour (Sale Sharks), 20 Paul Hodgson (London Irish), 21 Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby), 22 Miles Benjamin (Worcester Warriors).

The Saxons go into the game at Netherdale on the back of a 23-17 win over the O2 Ireland Wolfhounds at Exeter secured by tries from Leicester Tigers No.8 Thomas Waldrom and Saracens scrum half Ben Spencer, and 13 points from Gloucester Rugby fly half Freddie Burns.

Flanker Seymour, 27, and centre Joseph, 20, take over from Waldrom and Matt Banahan (Bath Rugby), who have been added to the senior squad training for the opening match of the RBS 6 Nations at Murrayfield.

Benjamin, 23, replaces Delon Armitage (London Irish) following the latter’s suspension from the Saxons Elite Player Squad. The Worcester wing scored five tries in two Churchill Cup appearances against the USA and Canada last summer.

Saxons coach Jon Callard said: “Dave Seymour’s been playing very well for Sale and captaining the side too while Miles played a big role last summer. I’m sure he was disappointed not to be part of the Saxons EPS and this is a great opportunity for him to show what he can do.

“Everyone’s delighted that JJ (Joseph) is playing again. It was always our intention to involve him at the right time, when he was fit and with his club’s blessing. He’s a really exciting talent.”

Callard added: “The energy and attitude of the group over the last week has been outstanding and now it’s important that we keep on working hard and improve our execution going into tough away game.”

The Saxons are training at the National Sports Centre at Bisham Abbey and travel to Scotland on Wednesday.

England Saxons

Backs

Nick Abendanon (Bath Rugby)
Miles Benjamin (Worcester)
Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby)
Paul Hodgson (London Irish)
Matt Hopper (Harlequins)
Jonathan Joseph (London Irish)
Ryan Lamb (Northampton saints)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)
Ugo Monye (Harlequins)
Billy Twelvetrees (Leicester Tigers)
Ben Spencer (Saracens)

Forwards

Chris Brooker (Harlequins)
Paul Doran-Jones (Northampton Saints)
Matt Garvey (London Irish)
James Gaskell (Sale Sharks)
Joe Gray (Harlequins)
Rupert Harden (Gloucester Rugby)
Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs)
Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors)
Kearnan Myall (Sale Sharks)
George Robson (Harlequins)
Andy Saull (Saracens)
David Seymour (Sale Sharks)
Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers)
Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby)

Clark has for the last four months been the Highlanders’ Project Manager on a secondment funded by the New Zealand Rugby Union, and has played an important role in both the on and off field re-structuring of the Highlanders’ franchise to date.

Clark’s employment is the first of a number of direct appointments intended to be made by the Highlanders before the start of the 2011 Investec Super Rugby season. In announcing the appointment, Highlanders’ Chairman Ross Laidlaw said:

"Roger was the standout applicant for this new position. He has 12 years’ experience as a rugby administrator and is highly respected as such both within the franchise region and beyond. One of Roger’s many tasks will be to build and lead an off field Highlanders’ management group – handling the franchise’s commercial, marketing, high performance and team management functions – which will work closely alongside Coach Jamie Joseph and his boys on the paddock."

Laidlaw also acknowledged the assistance and support of both the New Zealand Rugby Union and the Highlanders’ three regional provincial unions in relation the management re-structuring.

Meanwhile, Clark is looking forward to, but does not under estimate, the challenges of his new role:

"My principal task is to establish and maintain the Highlanders’ franchise as a commercially viable organisation. A continuation of significant operating deficits is not acceptable. There are many other important things to do. To build and maintain relationships with all our stakeholders; to assist Jamie Joseph in establishing a Highlander identity and culture, which will hopefully encourage the community to engage with the Highlanders; and to work with our provincial unions, particularly in the areas of player identification, development, recruitment and retention."

Rugby Southland Chairman Owen Shaw, acknowledged Clark’s contribution as CEO of the Stags:

"Roger has been instrumental in leading a resurgence of rugby in Southland as our CEO for the last 12 years. Whilst we are naturally disappointed to lose him, we are 100 per cent behind the new Highlanders’ leadership and wish Roger every success in his new role. We recognise how important it is for rugby in our region that the Highlanders is a successful franchise.”

Clark’s appointment takes effect immediately, but he will remain available to Rugby Southland to ensure a smooth transition to his successor.

Kennedy returns to the second row where he will team up with Bob Casey while the in form Kieran Roche moves to the back row in place of Steffon Armitage.

In the backs, 2009 PRA Players’ Player of the Year Mapusua will form a centre partnership with Daniel Bowden and academy star Jonathon Joseph retains his place on the wing after scoring his first Premiership try for the Exiles last weekend.

Speaking about the match, Booth said: “We have had a good start to the season and belief in the squad is very high at the moment.

“Defensively we were excellent last week and after the bonus point win against Saracens at the London Double Header we are in a strong position for our first match in front of our home fans.

“We are all looking forward to be back playing at Madejski Stadium for what I am expecting to be an entertaining afternoon of rugby.”

London Irish: 15. Delon Armitage*; 14. Topsy Ojo*; 13. Seilala Mapusua *; 12. Daniel Bowden; 11. Jonathon Joseph; 10. Ryan Lamb; 9. Paul Hodgson*; 1. Clarke Dermody* (captain); 2. James Buckland; 3. Faan Rautenbach*; 4. Nick Kennedy*; 5. Bob Casey*; 6. Kieran Roche; 7. Declan Danaher ; 8. George Stowers*.

Replacements: 16. David Paice; 17. Max Lahiff; 18. Alex Corbisiero; 19. Matt Garvey; 20. Jonathon Fisher;  21. Sailosi Tagicakibau*; 22. Chris Malone; 23. Darren Allinson.

*Denotes international

Head Coach: Toby Booth
Attack Coach: Mike Catt
Defence Coach: Dave Ellis

Highlanders Coach Jamie Joseph today welcomed Thomson’s re-signing with the Southern franchise as important retention of a locally-produced rugby talent and core part of the Highlanders’ team.

“I’m very excited that Adam has decided he wants to remain with the Highlanders next year.   I’m really pleased to have someone of his experience and skill back with us for the 2011 campaign.

“We have talked about our goals for next year – and I am fully supportive of Adam’s desire to work on getting back into a black jersey.  Adam now just needs to get on and start playing the type of rugby that got him selected in the All Blacks, having made the call will now allow him to concentrate on playing,” Joseph said.

New Zealand Rugby Union General Manager of Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen also welcomed Thomson’s re-signing.

“This is great news not just for the Highlanders but also for New Zealand rugby.  It’s important that we are able to keep someone of Adam’s calibre in the New Zealand mix,” Sorensen said.

Adam Thomson said he was delighted he will be back in a Highlanders jersey next year.

“This was one of the most significant decisions of my career and one that was not taken lightly, it was important for me to consider all of my options and I am happy to recommit to the Highlanders again next year.  I am excited about the direction Jamie is taking the team, and I am very happy I will be able to remain loyal to the region,” he said.

Christchurch-born Adam Thomson debuted for the Highlanders against the Sharks in 2004.  He has 39 Super Rugby caps.  A 17-Test cap All Black, Thomson first debuted in the black jersey against Ireland in 2008.

After two seasons with the Crusaders, 22-year-old Slade, will be moving further South to cement his place as a specialist in the No 10 jersey, after signing a contract with the Highlanders for the 2011 Super Rugby season.

Joseph said Slade’s signing was a crucial acquisition for the franchise as he works towards building a successful team and campaign next year.

“We’re very excited he is going to be a key part of our campaign.  Colin is confident that the Highlanders will provide the platform to enable him to work on his aspirations to play in a black jersey in next year’s Rugby World Cup.

“This is a great opportunity for Colin to showcase his talent.  I have been impressed with his qualities as a player and as a leader and he will be a great addition to the Highlanders,” Joseph said.

Slade said he was excited about the challenge of moving to a leadership role within the Highlanders next year.

“I’m really keen to shift my playing ability up to the next level, and I think playing for the Highlanders will propel me in the right direction,” Slade said.

Slade debuted for the Crusaders in 2009.  He has 26 Super Rugby caps and 50 Super Rugby points with the Crusaders.  He is currently playing his third provincial season with Canterbury, having debuted against Manawatu in 2008.

A talented kicker with both feet, Slade represented New Zealand in the Under 19 squad in 2006, the Junior All Blacks in 2009, and this year he played for the New Zealand Barbarians that played against the New Zealand Maori team in Whangarei this year.

Coach John Fletcher was always confident that his side had the talent to test the visitors and they fulfilled all his expectations in holding the whip-hand from the moment full-back Jonathan Joseph (London Irish) crossed for the opening try and fly-half Jake Sharp (Saracens) converted.

Sharp claimed the second after 19 minutes and converted his own score for a 14-0 lead and while Australian centre Matthew Garland cut the deficit with a 29th minute try to raise the visitors’ morale and make the interval scoreline 14-5.

However, a third try from wingman Earl Collins (Worcester Warriors) on 40 minutes opened up the lead once again, although once again the tourists refused to concede the struggle and rallied with a try by flanker Jack de Guingand that scrum-half and captain Matthew Lucas converted to bring his side within a score at 19-12.

Sharp then steadied the home team’s nerves with a penalty before leaving the field as a precaution ahead of an outing on the Saracens bench against Castres on Friday, but Joseph had the last word when he crossed for the final try after 68 minutes.

A cameo moment for the hosts came when 16-year-old replacement centre Mark Jennings from Lymm High School and Sale Sharks took the field when the management elected to use all their replacements.

The tourists now stay in the North West to prepare for their next game, an international against England Under 18s at Sale FC’s Heywood Road headquarters on Sunday (2pm), when coach Fletcher will once again be in charge.

“The game was very tough, physical battle,” said Fletcher: “We lacked precision at times and it was a bit scrappy but for us to score four tries against opposition of that calibre after only half a day’s preparation was a pretty good effort,” said Fletcher. “So far as the tourists are concerned, they compete well for the ball and they are very dangerous in broken play situations, as you would expect.”

England U19 Regional Academies 27 (Tries: Joseph 2, Sharp, Collins. Con: Sharp 2. Pen: Sharp) Australia Schools 12 (Tries: Garland, De Guingand. Con: Lucas)

England Academies squad: forwards: Harry Allen (Saracens), Pete Austin (London Irish), Ryan Bower (Leicester Tigers), Matt Everard (Leicester Tigers), Ben Glynn (Bristol Rugby), Tom Hicks (Northampton Saints), Sam Jones (London Wasps), Charlie Matthews (Harlequins), Jethro Rawling (Leicester Tigers), Ollie Steadman (Leeds Carnegie), Henry Thomas (Sales Sharks), Mako Vunipola (Bristol Rugby). Backs: Tommy Bell (Sales Sharks), Earl Collins (Worcester Warriors), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Ryan Glynn (Sales Sharks), Mark Jennings (Sale Sharks), Jonathan Joseph (London Irish), Jake Sharp (Saracens), Andy Short (Worcester), Sam Stuart (Harlequins), Marcus Watson (London Irish).

Canterbury, led 25-10 after 60 minutes, but found themselves only five points ahead in a tense final six minutes, and down to fourteen men with fullback Colin Slade in the sinbin. They secured their win when with a late penalty leaving Wellington wondering what they have to do to. They have reached six of the last seven finals and lost them all, and Canterbury are their main tormentors, winning on three occasions, the first two in Wellington itself.

The victory was Canterbury’s seventh since the NPC started in 1976, their first at home for eight years but their fourth success since 2001.

After losing the Ranfurly Shield to Southland in the last challenge and eight All Blacks to the All Blacks overseas tour, Canterbury were considered vulnerable in their Cup title defence.

Hawke’s Bay came to Christchurch for the semi-final feeling confident they could turn their opponents over, but ended up on the wrong end of a 20-3 spanking. Similarly, Wellington Lions fancied their chances, but despite making a fight of it in the closing quarter were largely toothless. BY half time, the game was effectively over, as both coach Jamie Joseph and captain Jacob Ellison conceded.

Joseph was disappointed his team stayed with the kick-and chase tactic throughout the first half even when it kept proving ineffective.

“In the first 40 minutes we weren’t able to play a lot and that’s credit to Canterbury for the way they approached and played the game. I think we lost to a better team tonight.”

Canterbury coach Rob Penney, who is keen to stay on and try for a hat-trick of titles next year, paid tribute to his players.

“I can’t speak highly enough about how the team have pulled together and generated energy and had faith in each other to do a job which was really difficult for them.

“The guys supported each other wonderfully. It is still a team orientated game and you can’t do it individually.

“The red-and-black theme is really about doing it for the team and the boys have bought into that time and time again and it’s won the day again.”

CANTERBURY 28 WELLINGTON 20

Sat 7 Nov, 7.35pm at AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Canterbury

Tries: Colin Slade (2), Sean Maitland.

Conversions: Stephen Brett (2).

Penalties: Brett (3).

Wellington

Tries: Alapati Leuia, Scott Fuglistaller.

Conversions: Piri Weepu (2).

Penalties: Weepu (2).

Halftime: 18-3 (Canterbury).