Woodward set to reveal identity of new captain

CLIVE WOODWARD looks set to unveil his first post-World Cup squad today - and the identity of England’s new captain.

World Cup-winning skipper Martin Johnson confirmed he was quitting the Test arena 11 days ago, and a successor is now lined up for next month's RBS 6 Nations Championship opening goal against Italy in Rome.

Woodward, while in New Zealand for an International Rugby Board conference last week, claimed he had already made his decision.

"I know who the next captain is going to be, I am just going to wait until I get back," said Woodward "There's no rush we don't meet as a squad until February 2 and 3."

Wasps back-row forward Lawrence Dallaglio, Gloucester prop Phil Vickery and Saracens flanker Richard Hill would appear to head the field.

Other candidates include 35-year-old Leicester flanker Neil Back, his club colleague Ben Kay, scrum-half Matt Dawson and World Cup match-winner Jonny Wilkinson.

Injuries, meanwhile, look set to dominate the agenda for Woodward's pre-Six Nations squad, which will probably contain around 35 players.

Of the original 30-man World Cup squad, nine Wilkinson, Dawson, Kay, Hill, Mike Tindall, Stuart Abbott, Julian White, Lewis Moody and Martin Corry are sidelined, while Bath's Mike Catt has not played since the World Cup.

Bath centre Tindall, plus the Leicester pair of White and Moody, have already been ruled out of England's first two Six Nations games, while Abbott is struggling to play any part.