Woodward taking nothing for granted

CLIVE WOODWARD has vowed to take no notice of the Six Nations form guide, which suggests tournament favourites England will give Wales a Millennium Stadium mauling on Saturday.

England, who have not lost in Cardiff since 1993, head for the Welsh capital later this week with 11 survivors in their starting line-up from last season's record 50-10 victory at Twickenham.

Wales are still feeling the after-effects from a humiliating Italian job after their national sport was reduced to ruins in Rome last weekend.

That 30-22 defeat should be reflected in Wales coach Steve Hansen's team selection, with several changes likely, including the possibility of him naming a new captain.

Everything is stacked in England's favour, as even the most ardent Welsh supporter expects world rugby's officially-ranked number one team to cut loose.

Never can one of rugby's oldest international fixtures Wales still lead the overall series 49-47 since 1881 have been reduced to such an anticipated mis-match.

Woodward, though, is taking nothing for granted as England look to complete the second stage of a possible and overdue Grand Slam.

"In any of these Six Nations games, and I speak from a lot of experience here, if you get anything wrong, then you will lose," he said.

"I am sure that Wales will think they have got a lot to prove, having lost their first game. If you lose your first game in the 6 Nations, then the second is a must-win."

Woodward's team shows three changes two enforced through injury from the side that beat France 25-17 last weekend.

Scrum-half Kyran Bracken, who has spent the past fortnight resting after being concussed during Saracens' Zurich Premiership game against Gloucester on February 2, has been handed a surprise recall instead of Andy Gomarsall.

Matt Dawson would have worn the number nine jersey but he has not recovered from the calf injury that dashed his hopes of facing France.

Leicester prop Graham Rowntree replaces 100 times-capped Jason Leonard, whose personal centenary celebrations were ended early by a hamstring problem against France.

Woodward also revealed Leonard is also struggling to make England's game against Italy on March 9.

With flanker Lewis Moody nursing a shoulder problem, Lawrence Dallaglio returns to the back row for his first start since England beat New Zealand in November.

In the meantime, Scotland coach Ian McGeechan has made just one change to his squad for the RBS Six Nations clash in France despite suffering an embarrassing home defeat by Ireland on Sunday. Back-row forward Jason White replaces Nathan Hines in the 22-man squad for Scotland's second game of the competition.

"Jason played very well for the A team in Stirling on Saturday and has made a very good comeback from the injury he sustained against Fiji during the autumn," McGeechan said.

"We are looking at tactical options and Jason's call-up does not reflect any dissatisfaction with Nathan Hines."

ENGLAND: J Robinson (Sale Sharks), D Luger (Harlequins), W Greenwood (Harlequins), C Hodgson (Sale Sharks), B Cohen (Northampton), J Wilkinson (Newcastle), K Bracken (Saracens), G Rowntree (Leicester), S Thompson (Northampton), J White (Bristol Shoguns), M Johnson (Leicester, capt), B Kay (Leicester),R Hill (Saracens), N Back (Leicester), L Dallaglio (Wasps).

SCOTLAND SQUAD: Forwards: M Blair (Edinburgh), A Craig (Orrell), B Laney (Edinburgh), K Logan (Wasps), G Metcalfe (Glasgow), C Paterson (Edinburgh), B Redpath (Sale, capt), G Ross (Leeds), G Townsend (Borders), K Utterson (Borders).

Backs: R Beattie (Bristol), G Bulloch (Glasgow), B Douglas (Borders), S Grimes (Newcastle), G Kerr (Leeds), M Leslie (Edinburgh), A Mower (Newcastle), S Murray (Edinburgh), S Scott (Borders), T Smith (Northampton), S Taylor (Edinburgh), J White (Glasgow).