Refreshed Cohen returns to England wing

BAGSHOT, England - Andy Robinson named Ben Cohen in his team to play Australia this weekend, the winger's first start since the Clive Woodward era, saying the World Cup winner had made an irresistible case.

Cohen returns on the left wing with the prolific Mark Cueto on the right, forcing Josh Lewsey to revert to fullback and delaying the debut of New Zealander Mark van Gisbergen, who starts on the bench.

Flanker Pat Sanderson, who won the last of his six caps four years ago, returns alongside Lewis Moody and captain Martin Corry.

Experienced Matt Dawson is preferred to Harry Ellis at halfback, with Charlie Hodgson outside him and Mike Tindall and Jamie Noon combining in midfield.

England go into Saturday's match -- the first of their three November internationals -- needing to develop some cohesion after a wretched year.

Robinson hopes the return to form of Cohen will help lift them back towards the levels of 2003 when, at his peak, he was one of the most dangerous finishers in the game.

"Ben was a world class player but like all players he has had dips in form," Robinson said.

"But through the work he's done he has got himself playing to the levels when he was a real success and he has forced himself in. He's scoring lots of tries, his work rate off the ball is good.

"He is playing with a smile on his face and getting that enthusiasm to play."

Cohen admitted he was physically and mentally exhausted last year and not enjoying his rugby.

He decided to take 12 weeks away from the game, to the extent that the 2001 British and Irish Lion did not even watch this year's Lions series on TV.

"I needed a total break," he said.

"I should have taken it after the World Cup but carried on last season and the result was that I was getting paid for a job I wasn't enjoying and hardly scored a try.

"I'm loving it again now, I'm probably fitter than I've ever been and obviously being involved with England again is a real lift."

England have lost to Australia twice since their World Cup final success and despite the Wallabies' run of six successive defeats, Robinson expected another stiff examination.

"I thought they were very unlucky in Marseille last night," he said of their 16-26 defeat by France.

"It was their first game, they had some young guys, played with pace and vision and they scrapped for everything.

"Having said that, I think we are better prepared than a year ago (when Australia triumphed 21-19 at Twickenham) and that has been helped by having two weeks with the players, for which I want to give massive thanks to the clubs."

England: Josh Lewsey, Mark Cueto, Jamie Noon, Mike Tindall, Ben Cohen, Charlie Hodgson, Matt Dawson, Martin Corry (captain), Pat Sanderson, Lewis Moody, Steve Borthwick, Danny Grewcock, Phil Vickery, Steve Thompson, Andy Sheridan. Reserves: Lee Mears, Matt Stevens, Louis Deacon, Chris Jones, Harry Ellis, Olly Barkley, Mark van Gisbergen.

- REUTERS