England manager Martin Johnson insisted on Wednesday he was still the right man to lead the team after unveiling his side to play New Zealand at Twickenham this weekend.

And England's 2003 World Cup-winning captain, appointed to his current post last year without any management or coaching experience, denied he'd picked a "defensive" side to face the All Blacks on Saturday.

England were widely criticised for a lack of creativity during last week's 16-9 win over Argentina, where Matt Banahan's match-winning try 10 minutes from time was a rare example of the home side producing a handling move.

The victory was only England's sixth win in 13 Tests under Johnson but the former lock told reporters at England's training base here Wednesday: "We get on with what we have to do.

"Let's not forget we won against Argentina, a fact that appears to have been lost.

"People pipe up with an opinion but we have to get on with it. We take it with a pinch of salt. Of course I still believe I'm up to it."

For England's final November international, Johnson has recalled veteran lock Simon Shaw and experienced flanker Joe Worsley.

He has also handed a first Test start to centre Ayoola Erinle, who made his debut off the bench in this month's loss to Australia and will now be deployed to counter the physical threat of Ma'a Nonu.

They replace Louis Deacon, Tom Croft - a nominee for the International Rugby Board player of the year award - and Shane Geraghty respectively.

Elsewhere, Mark Cueto moves to full-back instead of Ugo Monye, who takes the Sale back's place on the wing.

Monye struggled in the No 15 shirt against the Pumas and, at half-time, swopped positions with Cueto.

Utility back Mathew Tait has also been drafted onto the replacements' bench.

Johnson rejected suggestions that his changes were purely "defensive", saying: "Joe Worsley and Ayoola Erinle are both great ball carriers.

"The guys have to be able to defend and attack at this level."

Asked about the omission of Croft and Geraghty, dropped a day after England attack coach Brian Smith said he'd been following his orders in kicking so much ball away against Argentina, Johnson said: "It's not what Shane Geraghty and Tom Croft have done wrong. You pick a team for a specific game."

Johnson added: "We dug ourselves out of a hole against Argentina. I'd rather win a game and then get criticised for the style afterwards. That's the best place to be."

The 36-year-old Shaw missed the Australia and Argentina matches following a left foot injury.

This year he starred for the British and Irish Lions in South Africa, producing a brilliant display in the tourists' second Test defeat followed up by a key role in their third Test win over the world champions.

And he is now expected to add some much needed force to England's pack as they prepare to face the powerful All Black forwards at Twickenham.

"If he is around at the next World Cup (in New Zealand in 2011), great, but him being here around now, it helps with team building," said Johnson when asked if he any qualms about picking a 36-year-old.

Shaw added: "We need to be very aggressive and very confrontational.

"If you try to hold back and contain New Zealand, you always end up on the losing side."

New Zealand, who beat Italy 20-6 in Milan last weekend, are due to name their side later on Wednesday.

The All Blacks have won their last seven Tests against England, a run that includes last year's 32-6 victory - New Zealand's record Twickenham score.

"New Zealand as a team are always up there," said Johnson.

"A bad New Zealand team is number two or three in world. As a British and Irish player, if you can win a Test against the All Blacks it puts you in an exclusive club. They (New Zealand) know what they are doing.

"If we win with a dogged performance (on Saturday), I don't think too many people would mind. The players are determined. They know they can play better, they have to play better."

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