Woodward facing some very tough calls

ENGLAND boss Clive Woodward last night faced up to his looming World Cup squad selection, and admitted: “There will be some outstanding players left behind.”

While Woodward has already removed eight players including Newcastle pair Jamie Noon and Dave Walder from the World Cup equation, five more higher-profile performers will disappear in the wake of this Saturday's final warm-up Test against France at Twickenham.

The majority of Woodward's 30-man group is settled upon, and while star names like Jonny Wilkinson, Martin Johnson and Richard Hill return to face France in what should be a victorious Twickenham send-off, most interest will revolve around three players fighting for their World Cup lives.