Woodward rings the changes
England boss Clive Woodward has made 12 changes to his line-up for Saturday’s final World Cup warm-up game against France at Twickenham.
Wing Ben Cohen, prop Julian White and back-row forward Martin Corry are the only survivors following the 17-16 defeat by France in Marseille four days ago.
Woodward’s plans for the Twickenham clash though have been affected by a series of minor injuries.
Lawrence Dallaglio, Phil Vickery, Mike Tindall, James Simpson-Daniel, Mark Regan, Alex King and Joe Worsley were not considered, but Woodward says none of their injuries will affect their World Cup prospects. Woodward is due to name his 30-man squad for the tournament in Australia next Monday.
Saturday’s game will see a first appearance in the three-game warm-up schedule for players like Jason Robinson, Will Greenwood, Jonny Wilkinson and skipper Martin Johnson, but there are also additional opportunities for Wasps centre Stuart Abbott and Corry to press their claims.
Wing Dan Luger is also in that position and Woodward knows that his final World Cup task will not be easy.
“There will be some outstanding players left behind, which isn’t easy,” he said.
England team to play France at Twickeham on Saturday:
J Robinson (Sale); D Luger (Perpignan), S Abbott (Wasps), W Greenwood (Harlequins), B Cohen (Northampton); J Wilkinson (Newcastle), K Bracken (Saracens); T Woodman (Gloucester), S Thompson (Northampton), J White (Leicester), M Johnson (Leicester, capt), B Kay (Leicester), R Hill (Saracens), N Back (Leicester), M Corry (Leicester).
Replacements: D West (Leicester), J Leonard (Harlequins), S Shaw (Wasps), L Moody (Leicester), M Dawson (Northampton), P Grayson (Northampton), I Balshaw (Bath).
