It's my toughest test, says England coach

Andy Robinson says the test against the All Blacks on Sunday will be his toughest coaching assignment in five years with England, despite naming a full strength team.

His starting team, named yesterday, is unchanged from that which beat Australia 26-16 last weekend after first five-eighths Charlie Hodgson was passed fit after a groin strain.

In what should be an epic scrum battle, England will again field their heaviest front row - Andy Sheridan, Steve Thompson and Phil Vickery.

Former Waikato fullback Mark van Gisbergen retained his spot on the bench in an unchanged 22.

Robinson, who has been on the England coaching staff since 2000, is in no doubt about his task.

"This is the biggest challenge I've ever had as a coach and it's the biggest challenge that England will face since I've been involved with coaching the team," he said.

"They've had players come through difficult times, like the World Cup, and the new faces have come in and taken the team a step forward."

The All Blacks have scored 86 points and conceded just 10, including one try, in their romps over Wales and Ireland to date in their Grand Slam bid.

The England scrum have been under the spotlight since the demolition of Australia last weekend and is an obvious threat - although the All Blacks fancy their chances in the set piece too.

"We have to match that. Last weekend was a start but we know it'll be the biggest challenge we have in the scrummaging department because of the streetwise nature of their side," Robinson said.

"We played okay at the weekend but we know we've got to step up three or four gears."

Nine of England's starting team toured New Zealand with the Lions this year, five forwards and four backs. The only non-Lions are the midfield back combination of Gloucester's Mike Tindall and Newcastle's Jamie Noon, left wing Ben Cohen, who played the 2002 All Blacks, prop Vickery, Bath lock Steve Borthwick and Worcester flanker Pat Sanderson.

The loose forwards - Sanderson, captain Martin Corry and Lewis Moody - will try to blunt the All Blacks' effectiveness at the breakdown.

Hodgson, meanwhile, pronounced himself fit after leaving the field last Sunday.

"Very confident, rehab's gone well and everything I've done today has gone well," he said.

Hodgson did not play a test during the Lions tour but watched from the stands and agreed with Robinson about the level England would have to lift to against the All Blacks at Twickenham.

"I think they have been exceptional ... very skilful and they're very adept at handling the ball in all conditions. Offloading is the key to their game so if we can stop that we're on the way."

- NZPA