England make seven changes for SA

Tait (L) and Richards are named in a re-jigged England team

England coach Andy Robinson has reacted to the defeat by Argentina by making seven changes for the first Test against South Africa on Saturday.

Mathew Tait is named at outside centre, Jamie Noon moves to number 12 with Peter Richards chosen at scrum-half.

Prop Andrew Sheridan, wingers Josh Lewsey and Mark Cueto and lock Tom Palmer replace Perry Freshwater, Ben Cohen, Paul Sackey and Danny Grewcock.

Flanker Joe Worsley is recalled while Martin Corry moves to number eight.

News conference: England coach Andy Robinson

Corry retains the captaincy despite questions being raised over his leadership following the shock loss to the Pumas.

"Martin was disappointed in his own performance against Argentina after a very good performance against New Zealand," Robinson told Five Live Sport.

"But I think it is right he plays this week. He has an opportunity to put things right in terms of the leadership and his own performance.

"He is very clear in what he has to achieve and I have no doubt he can achieve that."

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Worcester flanker Pat Sanderson, who has played the last two games in the unfamiliar position of number eight, reverts to his club position of open-side.

"I think Pat is our best ball-player in terms of the back row, and he is showing that on the international stage," Robinson explained.

Fly-half Charlie Hodgson keeps his place despite being hauled off early in the second half against Argentina.

"(Attack coach) Brian Ashton and I have had a frank discussion with Charlie this week, and I think Charlie will be a better player for that," Robinson said.

"It is part of the process of developing the team, developing Charlie as a leader and a person."

We felt we needed to bring in the best defender in the Premiership, Joe Worsley Andy Robinson

Tait and Cueto both return to the side after injury forced them out of the opening two Tests this autumn.

Tait, after proving his fitness with two games for Newcastle, replaces fellow youngster Anthony Allen, who returns to Gloucester, with his Falcons team-mate Jamie Noon switching to inside centre.

"It is no disgrace on Anthony, he can leave here with his head held high," Robinson said.

Cueto comes in for Sackey, who along with prop Perry Freshwater was not considered due to injury.

Perry makes way for Richards while Worsley, who has returned to fitness and form, comes in for Moody, who is on the bench.

"South Africa will play in our faces, be very direct, and we felt we needed to bring in the best defender in the Premiership, which is what Joe has consistently been," Robinson added.

Vickery returned to action last month after a lengthy spell on the sidelines

Lewsey missed the defeat to New Zealand after suffering a knee injury in Wasps' Heineken Cup game with Perpignan but returned to the England bench last weekend.

Wasps prop Phil Vickery, who has suffered major back problems, is named on the bench and could make his first Test appearance since England lost to New Zealand in November last year.

England go into this game on the back of Saturday's error-strewn defeat against Argentina, which saw them booed off the Twickenham pitch.

The defeat was England's seventh straight loss - equalling their worst ever run of results.

England have never lost eight successive Tests in 135 years of international rugby.

Following an agreement with the English Premiership clubs, no player can start more than three of the four autumn Tests.

Noon, Hodgson, Sanderson, Corry, full-back Iain Balshaw, hooker George Chuter, prop Julian White and lock Ben Kay will now be ineligible for the second Springboks game on 25 November, when a new captain will also be required.

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England: Balshaw (Gloucester); Cueto (Sale), Tait (Newcastle), Noon (Newcastle), Lewsey (Wasps); Hodgson (Sale), Richards (Gloucester); Sheridan (Sale), Chuter (Leicester), White (Leicester), Palmer (Wasps), Kay (Leicester), Worsley (Wasps), Sanderson (Worcester), Corry (Leicester, capt).
Replacements: Mears (Bath), Vickery (Wasps), Jones (Sale), Moody (Leicester), Perry (Bristol), Goode (Leicester), Flood (Newcastle).