Woodward gives hope to fringe players

England coach Clive Woodward has left the door open for players to earn promotion from the A squad to the senior side after seeing his preparations for the RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy wrecked by injuries.

Woodward has a number of players on the injured list, the latest being wing Ben Cohen who today was ruled out of Northampton’s Powergen Cup semi-final against London Irish on Sunday due to a thigh strain.

Matt Dawson’s return from injury has seen Andy Gomarsall, who began the win over France as scrum-half but was only on the bench against Wales, drop down to the England A team to face Italy.

But with his injury-hit squad including the likes of Neil Back (calf), Iain Balshaw (shoulder), David Flatman (shoulder), Austin Healey (Achilles), Lewis Moody (shoulder), Jason Leonard (hamstring), Phil Vickery (back) and Julian White (knee), who will all be at Pennyhill Park but not take any part in training, Woodward has left the way open for promotion to the senior side.

“I would stress selection for both sides remains an open process and those players not involved in either squad still have the chance to impress, assuming they are injury free and fully match fit,” said Woodward.

“Players like Mike Catt will continue to be watched to monitor their progress and will be considered for selection.”

Woodward has ruled out all but Jason Robinson and Trevor Woodman of his injured players from having a chance of making the Italy game.

“Of the injured players only Jason Robinson and Trevor Woodman may be available to play against Italy but this will depend on them continuing their rapid progress from injury,” added Woodward.

Robinson suffered a knee injury in last Saturday’s win over Wales and Gloucester’s Woodman is expected to make his comeback from three months out with a shoulder problem on the bench for the Powergen Cup semi-final with Leicester on Saturday.

Woodward added: “The senior and A squads will be training together again and I’m delighted that the joint sessions contributed heavily to the excellent wins against France and France A two weeks ago.

“The outstanding performance against France A showed the players that there is a pathway from the A team to the seniors, with no fewer than six members of that team making it through to be in contention for the senior team next week.”

England A Coach Joe Lydon was looking to build on the victory over France.

“I was delighted with our performance against France but Italy will give us another tough test,” he said.

“We lost the corresponding fixture last year, which showed that Italy are continuing to develop and progress and we will prepare thoroughly for the game.

“Once again all the players have the opportunity to push for a place in the senior side and I’d like to extend my personal congratulations to the six players who have been included in Clive’s senior squad. This is what the A team is all about.”