Healey favourite for scrum-half against Australia
October 22, 2001

England manager Clive Woodward is likely to be without his two leading scrum-halves for the clash with Australia, opening the way for Austin Healey to switch to No.9.

First choice Matt Dawson was carried from the field during England's defeat at the hands of Ireland last Saturday with a torn hamstring and replacement Kyran Bracken popped a rib later in the same game. Both are set to miss the showdown with Australia at the beginning of next month.

The extent of Dawson's injury is still unkown and he is undergoing continuing treatment at Franklin's Gardens.

Bracken told the Evening Standard, "I was caught by the Irish pack and given a going over and my ribs are very painful. I have told the Sarries medical staff about the injury and I will have a clearer idea of how long I will be out when they have assessed the problem."

It is now expected that Leicester's Austin Healey, who came on as a replacement wing on Saturday and scored England's only try, will get the nod from Woodward to face up to the challenge of George Gregan and the Wallabies on November 10.

He is likely to be favoured over the relatively inexperienced, but specialised scrum-halves, Martyn Wood of Wasps and Saracens' Nick Walshe.

The captaincy of the side is also an issue Woodward must address. Original skipper Martin Johnson is nursing a broken hand, and with Dawson and Bracken injured Neil Back may be handed the honour that he took over from Dawson when he left the field injured at the weekend. The only other squad member with international leadership experience in prop Jason Leonard.

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