Paul gets first senior call-up
February 26, 2002
Martin Johnson will captain an unchanged England team in Saturday's Lloyds TSB Six Nations showdown against France in Paris. Johnson takes charge of England for the 23rd time despite the spectre of a three-week suspension hanging over him. The Leicester lock is free to play until the Rugby Football Union schedule an appeal against his ban imposed following a punch on Saracens hooker Robbie Russell. England boss Clive Woodward has selected Johnson despite the furore surrounding him at present, and it will be the same side that demolished Ireland 45-11 10 days ago. But there are three changes on the replacements' bench including a first senior call-up for former Rugby League star Henry Paul. New Zealander Paul joined Gloucester in a six figure switch from Bradford Bulls last October, and now finds himself in the Six Nations spotlight. He gains a place in England's 22 because Sale fly-half Charlie Hodgson is sidelined with ankle trouble. Paul will cover fly-half Jonny Wilkinson and provide Woodward with goalkicking back-up. Also on the bench, Leicester flanker Martin Corry takes over from his Tigers team-mate Lewis Moody, who suffered a broken nose playing against Northampton last Saturday and there is a recall for Harlequins wing Dan Luger, who has recovered from a hamstring problem to displace Iain Balshaw. England will effectively wrap up the Six Nations title for a third successive season if they repeat their victory over France of two years ago. Their remaining games are against Wales and Italy, suggesting that success at the Stade de France should guarantee a tournament clean sweep for the first time since Woodward took charge in 1997. England team to face France: J Robinson (Sale); A Healey (Leicester), M Tindall (Bath), W Greenwood (Harlequins), B Cohen (Northampton); J Wilkinson (Newcastle), K Bracken (Saracens); G Rowntree (Leicester), S Thompson (Northampton), P Vickery (Gloucester), M Johnson (Leicester, capt), B Kay (Leicester), R Hill (Saracens), N Back (Leicester), J Worsley (Wasps). Replacements: D West (Leicester), J Leonard (Harlequins), D Grewcock (Bath), M Corry (Leicester), N Duncombe (Harlequins), H Paul (Gloucester), D Luger (Harlequins). |
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