De Glanville joins England squad
February 10, 2000

Bath centre Phil de Glanville was today added to England's Six Nations Championship squad by coach Clive Woodward.

De Glanville will now be in contention for a place among the 22-man England party that travels to Paris next Monday and a potential Six Nations title shoot out against France on Saturday week.

But the former England captain cannot realistically expect a starting place, given how well his Bath team-mates Mike Catt and Mike Tindall combined in midfield when Ireland were tormented at Twickenham five days ago.

De Glanville, who suffered a fractured cheekbone during Bath's Premiership defeat by Wasps on December 5, wasn't considered for the Ireland game.

The injury sidelined him until early January, then he couldn't oust Tindall or Irish international Kevin Maggs to regain a Bath centre spot and prove his match fitness.

But two second-half substitute appearances and one start in a friendly against Glasgow Caledonians since he was hurt at Wasps, have proved sufficient for the experienced de Glanville to regain an England squad place.

"I am delighted to see Phil back in action for his club, which provides me with further options at centre," Woodward said.

"I will announce the 22 players travelling to Paris on Monday via a statement, and the starting 15 at the team hotel in Paris on Tuesday."

That line-up seems certain to be unchanged as England seek their first Stade de France victory following a Grand Slam-wrecking defeat in 1998 and South Africa's World Cup quarter-final triumph almost four months ago.

World Cup captain Martin Johnson might have forced his way into the equation, but now has concussion to accompany a long-standing Achilles problem.

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