Haskell returns for England

England manager Martin Johnson has recalled blind-side flanker James Haskell for the showdown with world champions South Africa.

Haskell’s inclusion in place of Tom Croft is the only change on Saturday to England’s starting XV from last weekend’s 28-14 defeat to Australia.

Croft is included among the replacements and is joined on the bench by uncapped Leicester number eight Jordon Crane, who has replaced Michael Lipman in the squad.

Otherwise, Johnson has kept faith with the tight five that struggled to impose themselves against the Wallabies and named the same back division for a third week running.

Haskell was one of the few England players to return from the summer tour of New Zealand with his reputation enhanced after two impressive performances against the All Blacks.

He lost his place to Croft, after making a slow start to the season in a struggling Wasps side.

But Haskell made an immediate impression when he came off the bench last weekend and he will offer a more physical presence against the dynamic Springbok back row.