England Squad Announced

By Kath
September 8 2003

Clive Woodward announced the 30-man squad to go to the Rugby World Cup. Heartache for some and joy for others. For those players coming back into the Zurich Premiership, lets welcome them back with huge cheers

Press Release Issued on behal of Zurich

7th September 2003

ENGLAND RUGBY WORLD CUP 2003 SQUAD

England Head Coach, Clive Woodward announced today the England 30 man
squad to travel to Australia on October 1st for the 2003 Rugby World
Cup.

Clive Woodward commented on the selection of Mike Catt by saying: "In a
squad like this for the RWC you need three people who can play 10
especially when you consider the tough pool matches we have to play and
who we may face in the knockout stages. Clearly, we 've got two in the
squad with Jonny and Paul but we need a third and we'd already lost
Charlie Hodgson and Alex King through injury.

"So quite simply Mike is the next person in. Although his kicking game
is fantastic he's been out for a long time purely because there have
been other players ahead of him but I've been speaking to him regularly
over the last six months and the biggest thing for me was him getting
back to full fitness, which he has done. Once Alex King was injured it
was a very simple choice."

Regarding the five players who haven't made the final 30, Clive Woodward
said:

"It's tough on Austin and I've had a long chat with him. The biggest
thing everyone has got to get their minds around is that I'm not taking
a squad of utility players and when we play these games and we must have
the best 22 available for the key games. Austin has had almost a year
out and although he has done very well he has not quite done enough to
be selected.

"Simon Shaw would be in any other international team in the world and
not to pick him or Graham Rowntree are the two hardest decisions I've
had to make in my six years as Head Coach with England. However, I had
to be practical and Martin has been playing outstandingly well.
Regarding the remaining players who didn't make it, it's scant
consolation for them that they have all made a significant contribution
to England being successful. The competition within the squad is huge
and it's made the decisions I've had to make very difficult. I wish all
the players who haven't made the final 30 the very best for a very
successful season with their Zurich Premiership clubs and they must
remember that they are just one injury away from joining the squad."

ENGLAND SQUAD

BACKS (14)

Full Backs/Wings: Iain Balshaw (Bath), Ben Cohen (Northampton Saints),
Josh Lewsey (London Wasps), Dan Luger (Perpignan),
Jason Robinson (Sale Sharks).

Centres: Stuart Abbott (London Wasps), Will Greenwood (NEC Harlequins),
Mike Tindall (Bath).

Fly Half: Mike Catt (Bath), Paul Grayson (Northampton Saints), Jonny
Wilkinson (Newcastle Falcons) - Vice Captain.

Scrum Halves: Kyran Bracken (Saracens), Matt Dawson (Northampton
Saints), Andy Gomarsall (Gloucester).

FORWARDS (16)

Props: Jason Leonard (NEC Harlequins), Phil Vickery (Gloucester), Julian
White (Leicester Tigers), Trevor Woodman (Gloucester).

Hookers: Mark Regan (Leeds Tykes), Steve Thompson (Northampton Saints),
Dorian West (Leicester Tigers).

Second rows: Danny Grewcock (Bath), Martin Johnson, CAPTAIN (Leicester
Tigers), Ben Kay (Leicester Tigers).

Back Row: Neil Back (Leicester Tigers), Martin Corry, (Leicester
Tigers), Lawrence Dallaglio (London Wasps), Richard Hill (Saracens),
Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers), Joe Worsley (London Wasps).

The five players who are not in the final squad of 30 are: James
Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), Austin Healey (Leicester Tigers), Graham
Rowntree (Leicester Tigers), Simon Shaw (London Wasps), Ollie Smith
(Leicester Tigers).

Access for interviews with the England RWC squad will take place on
Monday 8th September at the Pennyhill Park Hotel, Bagshot, Surrey. Clive
Woodward will host a Q&A session at 11am followed by interview
opportunities with the players from 11.30am until 1.30pm.

The England squad depart PHP on the afternoon of September 8th and
return on Monday 15th September to resume their preparations for the
RWC.

Ends 

RFU Media Office