Johnson expected to make bold selections after dismal autumn

Martin Johnson is under pressure to cast aside the shackles of conservatism when he names his revised England squad for the Six Nations tournament this lunchtime.

England were ravaged by injuries in the autumn but the lack of creative, penetrative rugby meant Johnson and his coaching team were afforded little sympathy.

As Saracens chief Brendan Venter pointed out in his recent diatribe, the current breakdown laws do not help any team's attacking ambitions.

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But in their defeats to Australia and New Zealand either side of a laboured victory over Argentina, England were not just a side stymied by the laws but a side bereft of invention.

They scored one try in the autumn series, from Matt Banahan against the Pumas, and it was telling that all three opponents stated afterwards how comfortable they felt defending against England.

England attack coach Brian Smith admitted this week the coaching team had been "over-prescriptive" in their game plan during the autumn and he is confident that will change.

The return of Delon Armitage, Riki Flutey and Toby Flood from injury will inject a spark into England's attacking options and help them throw off the cloak of fear that shrouded much of their rugby.

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Nick Easter brings stern authority and an under-estimated array of subtle skills to the back row after missing the autumn matches. Evergreen lock Simon Shaw is confident of being fit and hooker Lee Mears is back playing.

Manager Johnson can make five non-injury changes to the squad and, with the World Cup looming next year, the clamour is for him to reinforce the return of those key players with some bold selections.

Northampton winger Chris Ashton trained with England in the summer and is one of those in contention after a blistering run of form, scoring nine tries in 10 Premiership games this season.

Including one season in National One, Ashton has scored 67 in 62 matches for Northampton since switching codes from Wigan.

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Banahan would appear to be the most vulnerable of the wing options.

Ashton's Saints team-mate Courtney Lawes, a dynamic and versatile forward, is another who could earn promotion into the senior squad having tasted international action off the bench against Australia.

Stade Francais star James Haskell is challenging Jordan Crane hard for a back-row place after taking his opportunity in the autumn.

But Johnson is unlikely to be too radical, with the bulk of his squad set to remain the same.