England’s Mark Cueto cleared of dangerous tackle

Mark Cueto has been cleared of a dangerous tackle on Australia's Berrick Barnes to lift some of the gloom surrounding a misfiring England squad as they prepare for the Second Test in Sydney.

Cueto was cited following the 27‑17 First Test defeat and would have been ruled out of the tour had he been found guilty.

He is now a certain starter on the right wing on Saturday and team manager Martin Johnson said: "It is good news that Mark got off his citing this morning."

Johnson has won just eight of his 22 games in charge but scrum coach Graham Rowntree today backed his boss and believes a "breakthrough victory" in Sydney would do wonders for the team.

"I have got every faith in him," said Rowntree. "He is a mate and I trust him. I trust his rugby knowledge. He is good with people. He is the right man for the job. He gets a couple of wins under his belt and everyone will be saying the same. We can't hide from the fact we are not getting those wins but we can't stop trying."

Johnson's record would bring the axe in normal circumstances, however, the Rugby Football Union have no intention of sacking him before the 2011 World Cup.

He plans to sit down with his players this week and go though a video of the loss in detail and tomorrow's game with the Australian Babarians in Gosford takes on even greater significance for players

London Wasps' Joe Worsley will lead England in that match with Dan Ward-Smith moved from No8 to lock. Dave Strettle replaces Ugo Monye on the wing.