Hull KR winger Peter Fox has England's backroom staff to thank for his recall to the national side for Saturday's crucial Gillette Four Nations clash with New Zealand.

Fox, ignored for the 2008 World Cup despite an impressive season for his club, was said to be "shattered" when he lost his place for the opening Four Nations game against France to late call-up Tom Briscoe.

The former Leeds and Wakefield flier was comforted by assistant coach Steve McNamara and former Great Britain full-back Kris Radlinski and, after knuckling down in training, has been rewarded with a place in the side to face the Kiwis at Huddersfield.

"It was good they were there," said Fox. "They took me to one side and helped me through it.

"They just told me how to be after the disappointment - to be positive and help the team - and I took their advice.

"Tony picks what he thinks is the best team and the players have got to respond to that.

"If you are picked you have to perform on the day, if not you've got to keep your head up and help the other lads."

Fox, who received news of his recall on his 25th birthday, wins his place back at the expense of Briscoe as coach Tony Smith breaks up the right-sided defence that was sliced open all too easily by Australia in the first half at Wigan last Saturday.

Fox's centre partner will be Warrington's Chris Bridge, who takes over from the Wasps-bound Lee Smith, while St Helens utility player Kyle Eastmond will start his first match for England at half-back in place of the axed Danny McGuire.

Smith has opted for four forwards on the bench, with Jon Wilkin called up for his first match since the World Cup.

"He's always full of energy and I think he'll bring that to us from the bench," explained Smith.

"He's got some ball-playing ability as well and we want to add that to the team. We want to play to our strengths.

"Jon's got a good kicking game as well. He's been very patient waiting for his opportunity."

After dropping Scott Moore and Richie Myler after the first game, Smith has once more demonstrated a ruthless streak but his tactics have the full support of skipper Jamie Peacock.

"Smithy's always been like that," he said. "Throughout his career he's not been afraid of chopping and changing the team.

"I think the whole point of having a 24-man squad is that all 24 can play. I think it's a great team.

"There is some pace there and it's good to see the talent that has come through Super League getting a chance on the big stage."

New Zealand have made two enforced changes to the team that beat France 62-12 in Toulouse.

Kieran Foran, a 19-year-old utility player, will make his debut as the centre replacement for injured Manly team-mate Steve Matai, while prop Jeff Lima has recovered from a calf injury to replace back rower Greg Eastwood, who has a broken hand.

Teams:

England: S Briscoe (Hull KR); Fox (Hull KR), Bridge (Warrington), Shenton (Castleford), Hall (Leeds); Tomkins (Wigan), Eastmond (St Helens); Morley (Warrington), Roby (St Helens), Graham (St Helens), Peacock (Leeds, capt), Ellis (Wests Tigers), Sinfield (Leeds).

Subs: Burgess (Bradford), Crabtree (Huddersfield), Westwood (Warrington), Wilkin (St Helens).

New Zealand: Hohaia; Perrett (Sydney Roosters), Foran (Manly), Sau (Newcastle), Goodwin (Canterbury Bulldogs); Marshall (Wests Tigers, capt), Fien (St George Illawarra); Nuuausala (Sydney Roosters), Leuluai (Wigan), Moimoi (Parramatta), Soliola (Sydney Roosters), Pritchard (Penrith), Blair (Melbourne).

Substitutes: Luke (South Sydney), Lima (Melbourne), Matulino, Waerea-Hargreaves (Manly).

Referee: Thierry Alibert (France).