Much has happened since England last picked a team to face South Africa in the World Cup final 13 months ago. The latest XV picked by Martin Johnson contains only four starting survivors from that scrappy affair in Paris; more pertinently there is only one change from last weekend's 28-14 defeat to Australia. Johnno the Merciless has shown his moderate side.
Bearing in mind the opposition, the return of James Haskell on the blindside flank has an obvious logic. Someone needs to return the physicality of Schalk Burger, Bakkies Botha and co, and Haskell does not shrink from that sort of challenge. The Wasps back-rower feels his form has improved since the start of the season and has been itching for a chance. There is no point wasting all that pent-up energy on the bench week after week.
There are good reasons, too, for the retention of Danny Cipriani at No10. There are some fickle people out there who witness a talented young fly-half having one average game and instantly assume the worst. Dropping him would have been a big mistake and caused potentially long-term damage. That is not to say he should be untouchable, merely that Cipriani needs time out in the middle. He'll come good and does not, contrary to his flashy public image, lack for a decent work ethic.
In common with this England team as a whole, Cipriani's biggest crime has probably been to attempt to run before he can walk in the context of Test rugby. Adherence to the basics will be the message hammered home by Johnson all this week. With a chill north wind expected to be sweeping through Twickenham this weekend, it is unlikely to be a day for frills or fripperies. The South Africans, by their own admission, are pretty knackered - they have delayed their team announcement until Thursday because of injuries - but their defence remains strong and well-marshalled. A no-nonsense win is what Johnson and England crave, whatever it takes.
That may well explain the lack of experimentation. Dylan Hartley continues to wait for his chance to start a match at the expense of Lee Mears, whose lineout throwing is considered more reliable. The only uncapped name is Jordan Crane, one of a phalanx of Leicester players among the replacements. If the 22-year-old No8 does come on it will be a tough baptism; Pierre Spies and Ryan Kankowski are no one's idea of ponderous pushovers.
