MARSEILLE, France, 27 August 2003 — England coach Clive Woodward has named a virtual reserve side to play France here Saturday in a friendly international he is using to test his World Cup options.
Woodward made 10 changes from the side that thrashed Wales 43-9 in Cardiff last Saturday to extend their winning run to 14 Tests, giving Austin Healey, Iain Balshaw and Paul Grayson a chance to prove themselves.
The versatile Healey takes over at scrum-half, Balshaw is back at full-back and Grayson at fly-half. Balshaw’s last England cap was against Ireland in 2002. He has been plagued by injury for over a year.
“Austin Healey and Iain Balshaw had to endure a long time out so Saturday will be a big day for them and one I am confident they will live up to,” Woodward said. “I’m in a pretty good shape. I still need to play few more games,” Balshaw said.
“It will be a huge game for us and we all want to keep our road after 14 games wins on the row. Everybody will like to prove things for the World Cup. The competition is huge in the team, which is a good thing.”
The only regulars are Josh Lewsey, moved to right wing, center Mike Tindall, left wing Ben Cohen and prop Graham Rowntree.
No 8 Joe Worsley is usually back-up to first-team no 6 Richard Hill. Woodward’s announcement also sees a full England debut for center Ollie Smith who celebrated his 21st birthday earlier this month.
Woodward might bring back fly-half Johnny Wilkinson, captain Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio and the rest of his first team lineup for the return match with France at Twickenham next week. Woodward said Wilkinson and company had nothing to prove. “I know them and they will go to the World Cup,” he said. “I want to get sure we make the right selection. We think we can beat France with this team.”
Woodward decides on Sept. 8 which of his 43 players will make the final 30 bound for the World Cup in Australia. “Saturday’s game is what counts at the moment. It’s an important stepping stone as we continue our preparations for the World Cup in October,” Woodward said.
“I’ve kept a lot of the forwards who played against Wales on Saturday and most notably Dorian West will captain the side for the first time. “Dorian’s captaincy is well deserved. Although he captained the England A team earlier this year, this is his first opportunity to lead the senior side in an international. I am confident he will lead by example.”
No Time for Preparation for Samoa World Cup Squad
In Sydney, Samoa announced their squad for the World Cup yesterday, but said they would not be able to train together until two weeks before the tournament starts because of financial problems.
Samoa coach John Boe named a powerful 30-man team, mostly made up of players based in Europe, New Zealand and Japan, but said they would stay with their clubs until just before the World Cup starts in Australia on Oct. 10.
“We would dearly love to have a period of training prior to the ...World Cup to facilitate the best possible build up for the players, but this is just not possible,” Boe said in a statement released on the team’s official website. “Each year a huge number of our players are told that they will be released from their clubs or unions to play for us.
“The catch is that by playing for us they seriously risk later involvement in that club or union. It is really hard to motivate players in this kind of environment.
“The Manu Samoa squad would have to be the hardest team in the world to select.
“The player base is spread throughout the world which means that the players compete in competitions with diverse styles of play and at different levels.”
Samoa, quarterfinalists at the 1991 and 1995 World Cups, are drawn in Pool C at this year’s tournament with South Africa, England, Uruguay and Georgia.
Ireland Ring Changes for Italy in World Cup Experiment
In Dublin, Ireland made 13 changes to the side that beat Wales 35-12 two weeks ago for a World Cup warm-up match against Italy here on Saturday.
Center Brian O’Driscoll and fly-half David Humphreys are the only survivors.
O’Driscoll, winning his 39th cap, also resumes the captaincy in the absence of Keith Wood.
The side includes the return to international duty of backs Denis Hickie and Rob Henderson and prop forward John Hayes, each of whom missed the Summer tour to Australia, Samoa and Tonga because of injury.
Victor Costello, who was forced to cry off the Welsh game because of injury, is back on the team at No 8 for his 31st appearance, while Marcus Horan resumes his place at loose head prop, having been ruled out of selection against Wales because of an ankle injury.
