David Hands dissects Martin Johnson's latest team selection in The Times.
"The return to the England front row of Steve Thompson has been well trailed but the re-appearance at Twickenham of a player who, in 2007, had been forced by injury into retirement still has the power to surprise. It is an indication of the twists and turns selection can take, and never more for England than this season.
"Injuries have made an impact up to the eleventh hour, with Dylan Hartley’s damaged hamstring promoting Thompson’s elevation for his 49th cap and his seventh appearance against Australia. It is that experience, going back to his international debut in 2002, which has counted in Thompson’s favour for this is a starting XV with five players boasting thirty or more caps, and then there is the rest.
"Whether Thompson lasts long beyond half-time at Twickenham must be in some doubt. He is there to make a dent on an improving Wallabies pack before Hartley, recovered sufficiently from his injury to be on the bench, brings greater mobility to the second half. But at 31 and after the enforced break, there could be a good few miles left on Thompson’s clock; after the surgery to his neck which convinced him he could resume playing, he has enjoyed his French leave in Brive and Martin Johnson’s coaching regime has rekindled his appetite for the international game."
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