Goode set England challenge by Johnson

Fly-half Andy Goode was told by England manager Martin Johnson to make the Test No 10 shirt his own after being recalled for Saturday's Six Nations opener against Italy at Twickenham.

Goode was selected for his first international in over two years after being named Tuesday in the starting line-up.

Renowned for both his place-kicking and kicking out of hand, Brive-based Goode is the leading points scorer in French top-flight rugby this season with 160 points in 16 games.

Goode was added to England's training squad in Portugal last week and stayed for the whole camp after being initially asked to attend for just the first two days.

The 28-year-old, preparing for only his fourth Test start, played the last of his nine England internationals against South Africa in November 2006.

That was Andy Robinson's last match in charge and Goode didn't feature during the brief tenure of Brian Ashton.

But with Toby Flood struggling with a calf injury, and Danny Cipriani demoted to the reserve Saxons side, Johnson has decided his old Leicester team-mate is the man for the job.

"He's playing well and he trained very well with us last week," Johnson told reporters at England's hotel here Tuesday.

"He's an experienced player, he's been around a long time," added Johnson.

"Andy is 28, he's not over the hill by any means. He's a different guy to the one I've played with, more mature as a player and a person. If he plays well, like anybody, he'll be difficult to dislodge."

Goode said: "It's down to me now. If I play well I hope to keep the shirt, if I don't there are other people snapping at my heels for the 10 shirt.

"I've broadened my horizons playing in the Top 14 in France after 10 good years at Leicester."

He added: "People say it's a strength of mine, game management, when's the time to run, when's the time to kick. It's a simple game rugby and you've got to get the game management right as a 10."

Goode also said he was a more rounded stand-off for having played in France. "A lot of it is heads-up rugby, you are encouraged to play what you see and believe in."

In November, England suffered convincing defeats at the hands of Australia, world champions South Africa and New Zealand.

Cipriani featured against the Wallabies and the Springboks before Flood, Goode's Leicester successor, was drafted in to face the All Blacks.

The talented but erratic Cipriani found himself demoted to the reserve team Saxons on Monday and Johnson said: "We thought it was the right call for Danny.

"He's come back from a very serious injury and came back pretty well in November in a team that struggled.

"In no way is Danny discarded, he's only 21-years-old. Most guys haven't even started playing internationals at that age and he's been in for a year. The best thing he can do is have a great game on Friday (against Ireland A)."

Johnson also handed a Test debut to London Irish back-row Steffon Armitage, who will line up alongside brother Delon, England's full-back at Twickenham, following injuries to Michael Lipman, Tom Rees and Lewis Moody.

The Armitages become the first pair of brothers to play in the same England team since Rory and Tony Underwood in the 1990s.

"Steffon is one of the form players in the Premiership and we are looking forward to see what he can do in a Test match," Johnson said.

In all, Johnson made five changes to the team beaten 32-6 by the All Blacks on November 29 for what will be his first Six Nations match in charge.

Experienced centre Mike Tindall, who played in the 2003 World Cup-winning team captained by Johnson, replaced Jamie Noon while wing Mark Cueto, playing his first Test since the 2007 World Cup final loss to South Africa, came in for the injured Ugo Monye.

"Just having them around is a big plus but the guys are in because they are playing well," Johnson said.

Meanwhile up front fit-again prop Andrew Sheridan reclaimed his spot from Tim Payne.

England have never lost to Italy but the margin of their victory last season was only four points and Johnson said: "There's no chance of us being even subconsciously complacent."

England team to play Italy in their Six Nations opener at Twickenham on Saturday (1500GMT):

(15-1)

Delon Armitage; Paul Sackey, Mike Tindall, Riki Flutey, Mark Cueto; Andy Goode, Danny Care; Nick Easter, Steffon Armitage, James Haskell; Nick Kennedy, Steve Borthwick (capt); Phil Vickery, Lee Mears, Andrew Sheridan

Replacements: Dylan Hartley, Julian White, Tom Croft, Joe Worsley, Ben Foden, Shane Geraghty, Mathew Tait