Confirmation that two of rugby's biggest stars, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, are to stay with New Zealand has given the All Blacks new heart going into Saturday's Test against England in Auckland.

McCaw and Carter have this week both re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union through until the 2011 World Cup.

Carter's signing was announced on Thursday to brighten the mood in the All Blacks camp after Mils Muliaina pulled up lame in training with a hamstring injury.

Paul Williams, a son of legendary winger Brian Williams, has been drafted into the training squad although Muliaina remained on the team sheet and officials were confident he would start against England.

The All Blacks, who have retained only half the squad that crashed out of last year's World Cup, started their rebuilding phase with a 20-11 win over Ireland last week.

On Saturday they will have to step up a notch against England, but giant England prop Andrew Sheridan is not buying into the theory that New Zealand's player exodus has made the All Blacks less intimidating.

"They always seem to be able to bring in players of equal quality," said Sheridan, the sole survivor of the run-on England side that lost the World Cup final 6-15 to South Africa.

Despite England's huge turnover of players, the only three uncapped players in Saturday's Test squad are wing Topsy Ojo, reserve scrumhalf Danny Care and reserve hooker David Paice.

Stand-in England coach Rob Andrew said selecting the side was a balance between wanting to beat the All Blacks and needing to find new players ahead of the next World Cup.

"We've got a group of players that need to start on that journey," he said.

"The majority of the players here will be around in three years' time. A lot of selections for the trip were made on that basis."

The All Blacks also have an eye already on the World Cup in 2011, and backs coach Wayne Smith said having Carter and McCaw commit to the side now meant they could start building a squad around them.

"If you consider the sort of money they would be getting offered overseas, for them to make a commitment like this shows they are very clear in their purpose," Smith said.

"It will cost them a lot of money to make that decision, I would imagine. But they are doing it because they love it and feel a responsibility and passion for what they are doing."

Carter will at least get some reward with an announcement expected soon that he will join a French club for the first six months of next year in a short-term sabbatical expected to be worth 1.8 million dollars.

The All Blacks flyhalf was instrumental in orchestrating the win over Ireland contributing 11 points with the boot and setting up the game-breaking try by Ma'a Nonu.

In a hint that his controversial rotation policy may be over, head coach Graham Henry has made just two changes to the side that beat Ireland in bitterly cold rain last week.

Veteran Greg Somerville will start at prop against Sheridan and blockbusting backrower Sione Lauaki has been added to the bench.

The All Blacks have singled out Sheridan as a key figure in the England pack.

"For us to play well we're going to have to attack Sheridan and make sure that we dominate their scrum," said forwards coach Steve Hansen.

All Blacks: Mils Muliaina, Anthony Tuitavake, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Andy Ellis, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Rodney So'oialo, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Neemia Tialata.

Reserves: Keven Mealamu, John Schwalger, Anthony Boric, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Leon MacDonald

England: Mike Brown, Topsy Ojo, Mike Tindall, Olly Barkley, David Strettle, Charlie Hodgson, Richard Wigglesworth, Luke Narraway, Tom Rees, James Haskell, Steve Borthwick (captain), Tom Palmer, Matt Stevens, Lee Mears, Andrew Sheridan.

Reserves: David Paice, Tim Payne, Ben Kay, Joe Worsley, Danny Care, Jamie Noon, Mathew Tait.

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