England aim to set the record straight

CLIVE WOODWARD last night vowed that there will be no repeat of England’s Paris ambush when his players are reunited with Six Nations champions France at Twickenham on Saturday.

England are determined to set the record straight and register their 19th successive Twickenham Test match victory by making a full recovery following last season's Stade de France shocker.

The 20-15 defeat far more comprehensive than the scoreline suggests derailed England's Six Nations title and Grand Slam bids.

France, in contrast, completed stage three of their own clean sweep. "It was England's worst performance of the year by a long way," said Woodward.

"While I don't think that we helped ourselves, we lost fair and square. I thought that France played outstandingly well, and they played outstandingly well against Jonny Wilkinson.

"But we won't be caught this time. We are a lot better prepared this time, so we will see what happens on Saturday. We have got to go out and attack France in every passage of play we are not going there to make up the numbers."

England's preparations have received a significant lift, with tighthead prop Julian White confirming his fitness as replacement for back injury victim Phil Vickery.

Had White not recovered in time, then Jason Leonard's 100th cap would have been won on the tighthead, with Leicester's Graham Rowntree promoted off the bench and uncapped Northampton prop Robbie Morris handed a replacement role.

While Leonard's staggering achievement will command top billing, English victory hopes could hinge significantly on how fly-halves Jonny Wilkinson and Charlie Hodgson perform in tandem.

Hodgson starts at centre, and Woodward insisted: "It's not rocket science what we've done with Charlie. It just gives us a different way of playing, because we've got two guys who are used to playing fly-half or first receiver.

"Charlie has run a lot at centre on the training days we've had. Mainly, to be fair, because Mike Tindall has been unable to train. In fact, I think that Charlie has run every session because he's been able to train and Mike hasn't."

Woodward also confirmed that selection calls on the wing and in the back-row were close-run contests.

With Dan Luger returning from injury as part of a menacing back-three alongside Ben Cohen and Jason Robinson, Woodward has been unable to find room in his starting XV for exciting young prospects James Simpson-Daniel or Phil Christophers.

Both players will be on the bench, and Woodward tonight hinted that they could have parts to play.

"The back-row was a big debate, not only the obvious area with Lawrence (Dallaglio). It was fairly clear-cut leaving him out against Australia and South Africa during the autumn, but I think he is playing fantastically now, and so are Joe Worsley and Alex Sanderson."

Woodward though, has stuck with the trio that served him so superbly when England beat the Wallabies and Springboks Lewis Moody, Neil Back and Richard Hill.

For their part, the French have named Xavier Garbajosa in their starting line-up ahead of Saracens three quarter Thomas Castaignede for Saturday's Six Nations opener against England at Twickenham.

Les Bleus coach Bernard Laporte has selected Toulouse star Garbajosa after Castaignede suffered a back injury during his club's defeat at Northampton on Saturday.

France team manager Joe Maso said: "Castaignede complained about a knock to his back against Northampton. We have decided to go with Garbajosa which makes sense because he is on form."

With Castaignede, opponents can always expect the unexpected. The mercurial star has an uncanny knack of conjuring up opportunities out of nothing.

However, the versatile Garbajosa's blistering pace gives France that extra cutting edge.

Laporte said: "They are two similar players, but Garbajosa can give that extra punch to the team." Maso added: "We will start the game with the desire to retain the title. England will have seen many videos of us as we have of them. Serge Betsen managed to upset (Jonny) Wilkinson in the game last year. We have the means to destabilise them.

"The game will be won as usual on defence and creative individual ability."