Hodgson axed by England

Charlie Hodgson's England rugby career appears to be over after he was axed for Saturday's Second Test against New Zealand.

Tour manager Rob Andrew selected the Sale fly-half for the First Test in Auckland but has not even included him in the squad for Christchurch, opting for Toby Flood.

Hodgson was replaced after a glaring missed tackle on All Black Ma'a Nonu during the 37-20 defeat and defence coach Mike Ford explained: "I had a good sit down with Charlie. He is very gutted, he realised he didn't play well.

"He understands that at international level with just one missed tackle you are back under your own posts. He realises he has to improve."

Sale scrum half Richard Wigglesworth and Harlequins full-back Mike Brown also found themselves left out of the 22 while Quins wing David Strettle and centre Olly Barkley are dropped to the bench as Andrew reshuffles his entire back division apart from World Cup winner Mike Tindall and London Irish flier Topsy Ojo, who scored twice on his debut in Auckland.

Mathew Tait is in at full back, Tom Varndell starts on the wing, Jamie Noon comes in at centre while young Harlequins scrumhalf Danny Care gets his first start at scrum half. In the pack, Wasps loosehead prop Tim Payne replaces Andrew Sheridan, out with a cut eye. New Zealand coach Graham Henry will give centre Richard Kahui and wing Rudi Wulf their All Black debuts, while blindside flanker Adam Thomson makes his first start and full-back Leon MacDonald comes in for Mils Muliaina.