England's luck is in as Charlie Hodgson leads the charge

It is this spirit which helped the 31-year-old revive a Test career which was overshadowed by Jonny Wilkinson and then usurped by Toby Flood.

Refusing to accept his international days were over, Hodgson joined ­Premiership champions Saracens this season and was in the right team at the right time when the fall-out from England's 2011 World Cup debacle saw experienced men like Wilkinson retire and Flood ruled out by injury.

Into the team came Hodgson along with three other Sarries backs - Owen Farrell, Brad Barritt and Dave Strettle - and as England continue their build-up to the Six Nations clash with Wales a week on Saturday, the outside-half is very firmly in the driving seat.

Flood has been restored to the squad this week but given England's reliance on the understanding of the Sarries players, the man who helped win the Six Nations title last season is now his country's second-choice No10.

When Stuart Lancaster, the interim head coach, looks at areas where the team need more power and physicality it will be No8 Phil Dowson and left wing Chris Ashton who will be vulnerable to the axe. Ben Morgan needs to be installed at No8 to bring a potent ball-carrying threat to the England ranks while centre Manu Tuilagi is needed for similar reason in the backs and left wing is the obvious position.

Today is the final day to apply to be permanent head coach and Lancaster faces stiff competition for the job from men like Nick Mallett and Wayne Smith who could form the double act which takes the team on a three-Test summer tour of South Africa.

Of course, if Lancaster's young team conjure up a surprise victory over Grand Slam favourites Wales then his CV will take on a totally different look.

That is why selection for the Twickenham match is so important because England must add something different after securing hard-fought and fortunate victories away to Scotland and Italy. England are making their own luck and Hodgson is playing a key role thanks to his ability to force tries through charge downs.

Two in as many championship games has earned him the nickname 'Chargedown Charlie' and while he considers that "a bit ridiculous" he will have to live with the tag, given the way he has changed the dynamics of both games.

Hodgson said: "The charge downs are about chasing lost causes. I am enjoying my rugby at the moment and, as always, I can only wait and see what the selectors decide for Wales.

"The more time we spend together the better we will become and the spirit is great. We didn't panic even though we were nine points down to Italy but we realise there is a lot of improvement to be made before we take on Wales."

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