Woodward rests key players
Richmond
October 18, 1999
England coach Clive Woodward is displaying a confident approach to Wednesday's quarter-final play off against Fiji by resting several key players.
The England side shows seven changes - one positional - from the side that reached the ton against Tonga last Friday, with Nick Beal, Mike Catt and Darren Garforth making their first starts in the tournament.
Beal replaces Austin Healey on the right wing with Healey switching to scrum-half as a replacement for Matt Dawson. Catt is given an opportunity alongside Will Greenwood in midfield, with Phil de Glanville on the replacements' bench. There is no place in the 22-man squad for veteran Jeremy Guscott.
Fly half Paul Grayson also drops down to the bench as Jonny Wilkinson returns.
Garforth takes over from tighthead prop Phil Vickery, who has not come under the microscope of the disiplinary committee despite his involvement in an incident during the Tongan match.
Jason Leonard is back at losehead, replacing Graham Rowntree, while flanker Neil Back returns in a straight swap for Richard Hill, with Joe Worsley keeping his place.
England team: Matt Perry; Nick Beal, Will Greenwood, Mike Catt, Dan Luger; Jonny Wilkinson, Austin Healey; Lawrence Dallaglio, Neil Back, Joe Worsley, Garath Archer, Martin Johnson (capt), Darren Garforth, Phil Greening, Jason Leonard
Replacements: Phil de Glanville, Paul Grayson, Matt Dawson, Richard Hill, Tim Rodber, Graham Rowntree, Richard Cockerill
1. Max Verstappen ()
