Hodgson the catalyst for England

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Hodgson comes into the side along with the dynamic duo of number eight James Haskell and hooker Dylan Hartley after all three made an impression off the bench late in last weekend's 18-9 defeat to Australia.

At London Irish, Hodgson is the catalyst of the Premiership's most dangerous back division and England manager Martin Johnson said: "Paul is very, very good at getting the tempo in the game, which is what we want to do."

He added: "Organising that slow ball game and turning it into dynamic ball that we can attack with is what we need to do. Paul is probably the best at the moment at keeping that tempo in the game.

"He brings a lot onto the field in terms of communication and leadership. There is a generalship about the way he plays at London Irish.

"It will be more difficult this weekend because he is not playing in the comfort of his club environment but that is what Test rugby is.

"We are fully confident that he will being that. What he brings on the training field and around the group is a real maturity."

Defence coach Mike Ford added that Hodgson, despite his diminutive 5ft 8in frame, is already one of the most important figures when England are on the back foot because of his big mouth.

"Paul is like an extra coach on the field for me, he is the best talker on the team," said Ford.

"In terms of telling players what to do and were to go, he never shuts up. The energy he brings is fantastic."