Shaw returns to England fold

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Simon Shaw is in line to make his England return against New Zealand this weekend as the pressure begins to grow on Martin Johnson's management team.

England missed Shaw's physical presence during their defeat to Australia and in Saturday's insipid victory over Argentina as he completed his comeback from a nagging foot injury.

But after the 36-year-old proved his fitness in Wasps' LV= Cup victories over the last two weekends, Johnson wasted no time in recalling the veteran lock to his senior squad.

Shaw was one of the stars of this summer's Lions tour to South Africa and he would bring vital experience and leadership to an England side that appears racked by fear and bereft of confidence.

The sight of some England players looking desperately towards the bench for directions as they struggled against Argentina smacked of an absence of decisive leadership.

England's attacking game seemed robotic, sterile and predictable - a fact highlighted by both Australia captain Rocky Elsom and Argentina skipper Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe in recent weeks.

Johnson's position as team manager has been guaranteed by Twickenham's elite rugby director Rob Andrew until the 2011 World Cup but some tough questions are being asked about the rest of the coaching team.

There has been nothing this autumn to suggest that Brian Smith, who arrived with a great reputation for bold, attacking rugby carved out at London Irish, is being allowed to have enough influence on the side.

Compared to the ambitious rugby served up by Ireland and Australia in their 20-20 draw at Croke Park yesterday, England looked as if they were playing a different sport.

It is understood that when England's post-autumn review is undertaken, the forwards coach John Wells will find himself on particularly shaky ground.

Wells, who joined the England set-up under Andy Robinson in 2006, has been described by one insider as the most "stale" of the management team.

Former England captain Will Carling believes Johnson is the right man to lead the structure but he wants to see changes to the coaching set-up.

"We don't look cohesive, we don't look fluid and we certainly don't play with enough pace," he told the BBC.

"My concern is there isn't a game-plan the players understand or believe in - it is one or the other. There needs to be more variety in England's attacking play.

"Throwing the ball to one guy and asking him to run hard doesn't work at international level and that is about England's limit at the moment.

"I think Martin is the right guy and should stay but at the moment I am not convinced Martin Johnson has the best coaching team that is available to England.

"Nationality is not important. He needs people who have been there, done it and can translate some confidence and cohesion into the players."

Graham Rowntree could be ready to expand his brief from scrum coach following his Lions experience in the summer.

Johnson tried to sign the Wasps and Wales coach Shaun Edwards when he first took over but he has since signed a contract up to the 2011 World Cup.

Carling would have liked Dean Richards to get involved in the England set-up but the former Harlequins director of rugby is currently serving a three-year ban for the 'Bloodgate' saga.

Bath prop David Flatman has also joined the England squad as injury cover for the loose-head Tim Payne.

Paul Doran-Jones, who made his England debut off the bench against Argentina, remains at Pennyhill Park while David Wilson continues to undergo treatment on a neck and shoulder injury.