SIR CLIVE WOODWARD has admitted that England's standards have slipped since their World Cup triumph in Australia.
But Woodward vowed yesterday that "a different England" will emerge from the ruins left by a shambolic display against Ire-land 10 days ago.
Head coach Woodward promised he would not over-react in the wake of his world champions' shock 19-13 defeat, which ended a run of 22 successive Test wins on home soil and destroyed England's Grand Slam dream. And there are just four changes - including the positional switch of strike weapon Jason Robinson - for next Saturday's RBS Six Nations Championship appointment with Wales at Twickenham.
Bath centre Mike Tindall will make his first England start since the World Cup final, after recovering from a serious ankle injury which sidelined him for two months. Robinson, having carried out emergency midfield duties in Tindall's prolonged absence, reverts to full-back and groin-injury victim Iain Balshaw drops out.
Bath lock Danny Grew-cock and Sale Sharks flanker Chris Jones both return to the pack, replacing Steve Borthwick and Joe Worsley both on the bench, along with World Cup squad members Julian White and Mike Catt.
Fit-again prop White's selection means no Twickenham finale for worldrecord cap-holder Jason Leonard, who is retiring from Test rugby later this month after 114 England appearances.
Woodward fields 12 of his World Cup final starting XV with Grewcock, Jones and fly-half Paul Grayson featuring instead of Martin Johnson, Neil Back and Jonny Wilkinson.
Leicester flanker Back, now ready to join Leonard in international retirement, loses his place among the substitutes.
Woodward has never been interested in sentiment, and his sole focus this week is for England to get back on track, knowing that victories over Wales and France should secure a fourth Six Nations title in five years.
"A performance like the one against Ireland was waiting to happen, and I am glad it has happened sooner rather than later," said Woodward. "It has been a massive wake-up
call for everyone in the squad, from me downwards. We can take it playing badly one week, but we can't afford to do it ever again. I'm glad to see some familiar faces back in white - Grewcock and Tindall - which allows us to pick a fairly settled team. Every-body in the squad fully understands why we won the World Cup and why we're the number one-ranked team in the world, and how easy it is to let it slip.
"I pride myself on England being the best prepared team and setting standards above any other team. I think they've slipped after the World Cup, through nobody's fault, but everybody has got to take responsibility for this, especially me.
"We're now back together again, and have had the wake-up call, but I will just repeat - Ireland deserved to win. I think history will look back on this and say it's an important lesson the players had to learn."
The return of 6ft 6in Jones will increase England's lineout presence. Despite losing 11 lineouts on their own throw against Ireland, hooker Steve Thompson and main jumper Ben Kay are retained.
"Fortunately, we've got another game this weekend, and I promise everyone that they will see a different England performance."
