World Cup heroes back for England

Brisbane Times - Thursday, November 05, 2009 4:17 PM

Jonny Wilkinson and Steve Thompson were re-united in an England team for the first time since the 2003 World Cup final win over Australia after being named in Saturday's side to play the Wallabies.

Injury-hit England's starting team for this weekend's match at Twickenham boasted just four survivors in backs Ugo Monye and Danny Care, together with forwards Steve Borthwick, still the captain, and Tom Croft, from last season's corresponding fixture, which Australia won 28-14.

England manager Martin Johnson, who was Thompson's World Cup winning captain six years ago, has lost nearly two teams' worth of players because of injuries for this month's Tests against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand, including his first-choice front row.

Thompson retired in April 2007 after a neck operation but the now 31-year-old returned months later to play for Brive, after turning his back on a six-figure insurance compensation deal, having initially joined the French club as a coach.

He did make a brief England return with an appearance off the bench late-on in June's 37-15 win over Argentina but this was seen as a stop-gap effort.

But this will be his first Test start since playing against France in the 2006 Six Nations after New Zealand-born hooker Dylan Hartley sustained a hamstring injury.

"It is some comeback," Johnson told reporters at England's training base here on Wednesday as he reflected on Thompson's return.

"He did retire from the game and my sense is he realised just what he was missing. He got in shape, he's been fantastic with us and it's good to have that experience."

Ironically, given his injury problems since landing the winning drop-goal in the 2003 World Cup final, fly-half Wilkinson - also now playing his club rugby in France, for Toulon - is currently fully fit and in fine form following his pre-season move from Newcastle.

"He's just been Jonny Wilkinson, He gets on and does what he does," Johnson said of the fly-half.

Several of England's starting side announced at the squad's training base have yet to reach double figures when it comes to Test appearances.

For example, full-back Ugo Monye has played just six internationals for England with centre Shane Geraghty (three) and wing Matt Banahan (two) also included in the back division.

However, greater experience is provided by Wilkinson, rugby union's world record international points scorer, who has 70 England caps and openside flanker Lewis Moody (53).

Borthwick has made 50 England appearances and Thompson 48.
England's bench features two uncapped players in Northampton forward Courtney Lawes and Biarritz centre Ayoola Erinle.

Lawes, 20, played for England in this year's junior World Championship final loss to New Zealand and joined the senior squad as a replacement for injured No 8 Nick Easter following impressive performances for his club.

The 29-year-old Erinle, like Thompson and Wilkinson, has seen his career revitalised by a move to France, after spells at Wasps and Leicester and was called into the squad last week as a replacement for the injured Mike Tindall.

Last season's November internationals, Johnson's first games in charge of the national side, also saw England well-beaten by world champions South Africa (42-6) and New Zealand (32-6).

"It's going to be equally difficult and tough," Johnson said.
With the next World Cup taking place in New Zealand in 2011, the former British and Irish Lions captain acknowledged the need to develop players but said results remained the priority.

"On any given day you want to win the match but, obviously, there are younger guys coming into the squad and we want to bring those through," explained Johnson.

"We all know the World Cup is coming up in two years' time. But nothing breeds confidence like winning games."

Australia, who have lost six of their last seven Tests, albeit against the Springboks and the All Blacks, are due to announce their side on Thursday.

And a wary Johnson said of the Wallabies: "They are a team that are battle-hardened, they will be well organised and have things up their sleeves for us they haven't shown yet."

England team:
Ugo Monye; Mark Cueto, Dan Hipkiss, Shane Geraghty, Matt Banahan; Jonny Wilkinson, Danny Care; Jordan Crane, Lewis Moody, Tom Croft; Steve Borthwick (capt), Louis Deacon; David Wilson, Steve Thompson, Tim Payne.
Replacements: Dylan Hartley, Duncan Bell, Courtney Lawes, James Haskell, Paul Hodgson, Andy Goode, Ayoola Erinle