England turns to rotation

Rotation, rotation, rotation - no, it's not a real-estate agent with a speaking difficulty, it's the new fashion in world rugby and one which may now be revisited upon the All Blacks when they play England in the specially-arranged test in a brand-new Twickenham on November 6.

Last week's landmark court case found in favour of the Rugby Football Union in the club-versus-country row that saw legal action needed to decide who had the power to call on the players - the RFU for England duty or the clubs, who pay their salaries, for premiership play.

The clubs argued that the fixture with the All Blacks had fallen outside the usual test window and that they did not have to provide their players.

Even with the decision going his way, England coach Andy Robinson has a difficult choice to make - does he play his top side against the All Blacks or keep faith with the clubs, whom he may need for more pressing engagements, by not requiring too many of their top players for the New Zealand match?

The All Blacks will also have a similar decision to make - they play England immediately before two gruelling tests against France and coach Graham Henry, if he stays true to his selection philosophies, is unlikely to field the same XV three times in a row, or even twice.

The match, to celebrate the opening of the new South Stand at Twickenham, opens England's four-match autumn programme. Had the decision gone the other way then Robinson's first match would have been against Argentina, a match which England are expected to win, even after five straight losses.

The RFU have promised that no England player will be selected for more than three of the four autumn games. Now, thanks to the decision, they face the All Blacks first - leading most observers to suggest Robinson will be obliged to field a weaker side against Argentina, since two tests against South Africa follow.

While this is clearly the most likely scenario, Robinson may yet feel that he is better off to get the test with the All Blacks out of the way, using more of a "development" side and then concentrate on the Pumas and the Springboks to help his side build towards next year's World Cup.

The issue may not yet be settled as the clubs may appeal the decision. Senior figures in clubs up and down the country were staggered that the ruling went against them.