Dan Carter, the brilliant New Zealand outside-half, today admitted he was surprised by England's decision to drop Danny Cipriani for Saturday's clash at Twickenham.

Carter had been expecting to face the 21-year-old London Wasps No10. Instead, he will lock horns with Toby Flood, who has taken Cipriani's place.

"I thought I would be facing Danny Cipriani and I'm sure it is very disappointing for him to miss this game," said Carter. "It's always good to get the chance to take on a good up-and-coming player.

"I can't really imagine the kind of pressure Danny is under over here. In New Zealand, people tend to leave you alone away from rugby and that's great.

"It's very important to get the right balance between your rugby life and time away from the game.

"When I'm training and playing, I give 100 per cent. I make sure that what I do off the pitch is completely separate and doesn't have any effect on my rugby."

Carter will join French club Perpignan next week and All Blacks coach Graham Henry last night hit out at the number of his players playing in Europe and particular England.

He believes their presence in the Guinness Premiership is harming England's Test chances by denying opportunities to home-grown talent.

"You are filling up your Premiership with New Zealanders and the national side are going to suffer," he said.