Perhaps after the dog’s dinner the RFU managed to make of their latest change in England’s coaching team, it is fitting that the latest new era will get off to something of a false start.

Martin Johnson, the man they made such a hash of appointing is staying at home. Rob Andrew, the man who was held largely responsible for causing the whole mess, takes charge.

It’s an unpromising beginning, given that Johnson’s team is going to the hardest place to play rugby on the planet, but there could be a silver lining to it all.

The All Blacks and their management, you see, don’t exactly smell of roses themselves these days.

If there is ever a time to go and get a result out of a two-Test visit to New Zealand, this could be it.

Graham Henry has been giving the silent treatment to sections of the New Zealand media unhappy at his reappointment after World Cup failure, and has subsequently managed to paint himself as an even grumpier character than we all had him down for.

His unease is understandable given that failure this summer must surely see the end of him, and that the man many believe should have got his job, Robbie Deans is crossing the Tasman Sea to take over the Wallabies.

A Deans victory in this year’s Bledisloe Cup series would have more than a hint of schadenfreude to it for Deans’ many acolytes.

Add to this the continued rumblings of discontent coming from Daniel Carter, and the drain of All Black talent that turned into a Europe-bound avalanche post World Cup, and a rare sense of vulnerability about the boys in black begins to rear its head.

So England, battle-hardened from a season of Heineken Cup and Premiership warfare should puff out their chests and head south with a real chance of victory.

Johnson’s absence on the plane will not dilute his say over selection, but if there is one mantra it would be a relief to see him follow, it would be the same philosophy Brian Ashton always championed yet never seemed to uphold in his selection - picking players on form.

That means Matt Stevens has to start at tight head prop. His Bath partner in crime Lee Mears must be given the No.2 jersey for his equally bullish displays.

Behind them, it is time for London Irish’s Nick Kennedy to be permitted to show what he can do at the top level. His very presence has been enough at times this season to cause hookers to overthrow their own man in the lineout, and when they do hit their target, he has frequently soared in front of his opponent to steal ball.

James Haskell, Tom Rees and Nick Easter are a well balanced back row triumvirate, and at half back, Danny Care deserves his chance. England on the front foot with Care and Cipriani in harness is a mouth-watering prospect.

Olly Barkley has been playing like a man without a care in the world all season. Now that the assault charge against him has been dropped and he really does have nothing to worry about, his form merits his inclusion at inside centre with the hard edged Mike Tindall providing the targets for his forwards to hit, and providing he is not dealing in matters judicial himself.

If Tindall plays, he is my captain for now.

Calls for the likes of Haskell and Cipriani to lead the side are premature until they have fully settled into the international arena.

My flier is perhaps at full-back where Mike Brown has been in fine form for Harlequins this season and deserves another chance after being thrown into last year’s decimated tour to South Africa. He should be given the No.15 jersey alongside Paul Sackey, who continues to prove himself the best right wing in the country.

Josh Lewsey’s Ashton-imposed exile from the squad should be ended with a place on the bench, where he can come on almost anywhere in the backline and add solidity.

On the other flank, James Simpson-Daniel has added a better set of defensive qualities to the skills that still make him one of the most naturally gifted players in England and showing signs that he is ready to claim an England place at long last..

My XV for the 1st Test

Forwards: Andrew Sheridan; Lee Mears; Matt Stevens; Simon Shaw; Nick Kennedy; James Haskell; Tom Rees; Nick Easter
Backs: Danny Care; Danny Cipriani; Olly Barkley; Mike Tindall (c); Paul Sackey; James Simpson-Daniel; Mike Brown

Replacements: Tim Payne; David Paice; Steve Borthwick; Tom Croft; Paul Hodgson; Toby Flood; Josh Lewsey