Johnson names England World Cup squad NEWS
Martin Johnson has named his 30-man squad for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup in New Zealand which kicks off on the 9th September.
With the Rugby World Cup less than three weeks away England manager Martin Johnson has named his 30-man squad for the tournament, with the surprising omission being that of centre Riki Flutey.
The New Zealand born centre was widely expected to travel with the squad to the World Cup as he was seen as a provider of the midfield guile and craft necessary to unlock the world's best defences. However, with scrum half Danny Care being lost for the tournament, Johnson instead opted for another back-up at that position with the selection of uncapped Wasps player Joe Simpson.
Bath flanker Lewis Moody, currently injured, will captain the team and he's hoping to return to action in England's opening game of the tournament against Argentina on the 10th September.
Flutey, although bitterly disappointed, took the news well according to Johnson who explained that his decision was due to having a number of options at centre. The group of centres chosen for the squad are Mike Tindall, Matt Banahan, Manu Tuilagi and, as the only specialist inside centre, Shontayne Hape. No doubt there will be some pundits bemoaning the lack of creativity in a group that seems to be based predominantly on power.
With the continuing injury problems of monster prop Andrew Sheridan, Johnson has also opted to take five props whilst fleshing out his forward choices with three hookers, four locks and five back row forwards. The lack of a true open-side flanker amongst his forwards may cause problems for the team, with Hendre Fourie missing out and Tom Rees, who has been regarded for some time as the England No.7 in-waiting, nowhere near sufficient fitness and form after considering retirement due to a long-term shoulder injury.
There is less concern in the backs with Johnson, who of course led England to their only World Cup triumph in 2003, selecting four wings/full-backs, five centres, three scrum-halves, but only two fly-halves. Jonny Wilkinson, who memorably kicked England to glory in 2003, will participate in his fourth World Cup and he's joined on the plane by two others who were in the victorious 2003 team - Mike Tindall and Steve Thompson, whilst he and seven others survive from the 2007 squad which made the final, losing to South Africa in a tight game that could perhaps have been won.
Whilst Johnson's men are not considered as anything like favourites, hosts New Zealand, reigning champions South Africa and even Australia are ahead of England in that category, they now have a World Cup pedigree, having made the last two finals.
New Zealand, meanwhile, have gone into every tournament as favourites yet have only won once - in 1987, the last time the World Cup was held in their back yard. Again, they are heavily favoured and it's down to Johnson's leadership and experience of what it takes to win a World Cup to boost England's chances.
England appear to have a winnable pool with Argentina, Georgia, Romania and Scotland as their opponents, but Johnson knows that none of these teams can be taken for granted, especially the Pumas and the Scots. If they mange to win their group, which I'm sure Johnson feels they are capable of, they face a possible quarter final against France should New Zealand, as expected, push the French into the runners-up spot in their pool.
All England fans will be holding their breath that the squad doesn't pick up any further injuries in their final warm up game this Saturday in Dublin against Ireland.
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