Johnson names Six Nations squad

It may be regarded as a reflection of England’s mantra from the November internationals that Martin Johnson has made four changes to the backs in his elite-player squad and only one change to the forwards. England believe they created scoring opportunities aplenty during three successive defeats by the southern-hemisphere nations last autumn but did not take them - that the cutting edge behind the forwards was too blunt.

Hence the restoration of two experienced backs, Mike Tindall and Mark Cueto, and the promotion of bright young proven try-scorers, Olly Morgan and Ben Foden. Another of a similar kidney, Jordan Turner-Hall, steps into the England Saxons squad along with the steadily-improving Northampton fly half, Stephen Myler.

But Johnson, the England team manager, has been steadfast in his belief that the majority of players chosen in the elite squad last July remain his best options. The curiosity - to put it no stronger than that - is the retention of Tom Palmer, the London Wasps lock who will play no part in the 2009 RBS Six Nations Championship because of a shoulder injury whereas Jonny Wilkinson, who could be playing rugby again by March, finds a place in neither the elite nor the Saxons squads.

Johnson argues that an individual such as Palmer remains a core player who should be available for the June internationals against Argentina, fixtures that this squad also covers. So, one would have thought, does Wilkinson although his injury history does suggest that a sustained period of club rugby uncomplicated by representative demands would fit the bill, and England know well what Wilkinson can offer when he is at the height of his powers. It is possible, of course, that England believe that the Lions will take Wilkinson with them to South Africa if he is fit and that he will not be available against the Pumas anyway.

Tom Rees is included, even though he will be out for eight weeks with a damaged knee, because he could be available for the last two Six Nations games. By then, of course, Lewis Moody could have settled back into his international stride on the open-side flank, Michael Lipman will continue to press the claims that he and Bath believe he has and the uncapped Steffon Armitage (both he and Lipman are nominated as Saxons) - one of the form players of the Guinness Premiership, as Johnson acknowledged - will continue battering at the door.

The original squad was never going to be turned inside out though Olly Barkley can be considered unlucky to have been demoted to the Saxons. His misfortune was that he did not settle into Gloucester’s team with the speed he and his new club would have hoped and, now that he is playing with greater consistency, he has lost his elite place. The reverse was true for Foden, who hoped to play scrum half regularly when he moved from Sale Sharks to Northampton last summer but has been outstanding at full back; he has nailed down a place at Franklin’s Gardens as a rugby player pure and simple, and now England are giving him the same chance.