Flutey can hit the right notes for England, says Edwards

Shaun Edwards, the outstanding defence coach in world rugby, today hailed Riki Flutey as one of the best tacklers in the game and the man to shore up England's battered midfield. England were torn apart during their two-Test debacle in New Zealand and have convinced Flutey, a 28-year-old Maori, to opt for a new country.

Flutey, who cleared it with his family back in New Zealand before deciding to take up the England residency qualification he earns in September, has been included in manager Martin Johnson's 32-man elite player squad. It opens the way for the London Wasps centre to link up at international level with club-mate Danny Cipriani - when the mercurial No10 recovers from his serious leg injury.

Edwards, the Wasps head coach and Wales defence guru, has devised a special role for Flutey which sees the centre stand in the No10 position in defence and Cipriani switch to outside-centre. It is designed to make the best use of turnover ball, with Flutey a formidable obstacle in the outside-half channel and capable of transferring quickly to Cipriani, who can launch a punishing counter-attack.

This is a tactic England, under new attack coach Brian Smith, should replicate. Smith knows all about Flutey's skills, having brought him from Wellington Hurricanes four years ago to London Irish. Flutey joined Wasps a year ago and helped them win the Guinness Premiership title and collected the Players' Player of the Year award at the same time.

Edwards said: "Riki can defend strongly in any position in the backs and is one of the best defenders I have coached. It's like having an extra back-row player on the pitch and he creates lots of turn overs with his tremendous strength .

"Riki doesn't do a lot of talking and prefers to get on with his rugby and I am sure that England are fully aware of what he could do in midfield."

Flutey could play against the country of his birth during a hectic autumn schedule that sees the Pacific Barbarians, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand at Twickenham.

He said: "When I got injured in mid-season, the club allowed me to go home for two weeks, which meant I could gather my thoughts.

"I spoke to my family and they were right behind me. I have done my time in New Zealand and the English Premiership has enabled me to nail down one position instead of being a utility back."

Flutey has represented the All Blacks at all age groups and was a member of the team that won the Under-19 World Cup in 1999. He also played for New

Zealand Maori. Meanwhile, Olly Barkley, who will be battling with Flutey for the England No12 jersey, is to have an operation on his damaged wrist and will be out of action for at least six weeks.