There are only two changes from Dublin in the whole 22, both on the bench, with Steve Borthwick in for the suspended Danny Grewcock and Phil Vickery, fit again after a back operation, replacing his Gloucester club-mate Trevor Woodman.

Woodward had left his first choice Test side on ice in Wellington as the midweek squad got the tour rolling with a comfortable victory against the New Zealand Maori last night.

Despite a number of shining individual performances, Woodward has already spoken on this tour of the benefits of fielding a settled Test side.

So the announcement of the line-up, to be captained by Martin Johnson and featuring Josh Lewsey at full-back with Jason Robinson again on the wing, held no surprises.

“I was delighted with last night’s result and the performance. The players were outstanding and put a lot of pressure on the 22 places for the Test team,” said Woodward.

“However, I’ve decided to opt for the same starting 15 which concluded our Grand Slam against Ireland in March. The All Blacks is a massive game and I intend to take the opportunity of playing a settled team against them.

“New Zealand are a superb side and Saturday will be a massive challenge for us.”

The midweek squad that beat the Maori 23-9 in a performance dominated by the strength of the pack, were made aware that places in the Test 22 were up for grabs heading into the match in New Plymouth.

Joe Worsley played magnificently and retained his spot on the bench, alongside winger Dan Luger and the half-back pairing of Kyran Bracken and Paul Grayson.

Grayson’s performance was talked up by Woodward after the game, despite what appeared to be a mixed display in what were, admittedly, unforgiving conditions and he edges out Alex King.

“The places on the bench have been fiercely contested, which is a tribute to all the players concerned as they approach the final two games of their and England’s season,” said Woodward.

Meanwhile, full-back Iain Balshaw has been added to the list of players joining the England A squad for the Churchill Cup campaign in Canada.

The England camp in North America yesterday announced that James Simpson-Daniel, Ben Johnston, Paul Volley, Mike Worsley, Tom Palmer and Andy Hazell would be joining them after Woodward had decided their opportunities would be limited Down Under.

Balshaw, who started at full-back last night but was substituted with a dead leg, was today added to the list, leaving the concurrent England tours with 30 players apiece.

“On behalf of the squad and management I’d like to thank all of the players who are joining the England team at the Churchill Cup for their important contribution to the tour,” said Woodward.

England:

J Lewsey; J Robinson, W Greenwood, M Tindall, B Cohen; J Wilkinson, M Dawson; G Rowntree, S Thompson, J Leonard, M Johnson, B Kay, R Hill, N Back, L Dallaglio.

Replacements: D West, P Vickery, S Borthwick, J Worsley, K Bracken, P Grayson, D Luger.

New Zealand:

D Howlett; J Rokocoko, M Nonu, T Umaga, C Ralph; C Spencer, J Marshall; D Hewett, A Oliver, G Somerville, C Jack, A Williams, R Thorne (capt), R McCaw, R So’oialo.

Replacements: M Muliaina, D Carter, S Devine, J Collins, B Thorn, C Hoeft, K Mealamu.