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.