Woodward gives trio a try

England boss Clive Woodward today named three uncapped players in a 37-man squad for next month’s tour to New Zealand and Australia.

Wasps centre Stuart Abbott, Gloucester back row forward Andy Hazell and Wasps flanker Paul Volley have all been chosen.

Woodward has also found a place for Bath captain Danny Grewcock, despite him being set to miss the opening two games against New Zealand Maori on June 9 and New Zealand in Wellington five days later.

Second-row forward Grewcock was sent off for punching Wasps skipper Lawrence Dallaglio during Sunday’s Parker Pen Challenge Cup final.

Unless Grewcock lodges an appeal and wins it, then his two-week ban will start on June 1, but he is among five locks selected in the tour party.

Abbott, 25 next week, was born in South Africa, and played Super 12 rugby for the Stormers before moving to Wasps some 18 months ago.

He has had an outstanding campaign for the Wycombe-based club, a fact that Woodward has recognised.

Abbott’s Wasps colleague Volley also gains recognition, while the call-up of outstanding Gloucester prospect Hazell is no surprise.

Woodward has predictably gone with his RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam winners for crucial Tests against New Zealand and Australia as the build-up towards this year’s World Cup begins in earnest.

Martin Johnson will captain the squad, which sees a recall for Bath back Iain Balshaw following his prolonged injury problems this season, while Wasps fly-half Alex King, Newcastle centre Jamie Noon and London Irish prop Mike Worsley also make the trip.

Newcastle fly-half Jonny Wilkinson has been appointed vice-captain to Johnson.

The likes of Julian White, Louis Moody, Charlie Hodgson, Austin Healey, Ollie Smith, James Forrester and Alex Sanderson were not considered because of injuries.

Woodward also announced today a 23-man squad for next month’s inaugural Churchill Cup competition in Vancouver, where England will meet Canada and the USA.

In addition, the tour party, coached by Sale Sharks pair Jim Mallinder and Steve Diamond, will also meet Japan.

The squad contains few surprises, although London Irish full-back Michael Horak is recalled for the first time since last summer’s Argentina tour.

Wasps players are again strongly in evidence, notably centre Fraser Waters, hooker Phil Greening, prop Will Green and scrum-half Martyn Wood, who will play for Bath next season.

Wood’s potential new half-back Olly Barkley makes the trip, and there are also places for Gloucester centre Henry Paul, Bristol Shoguns’ Leeds-bound Phil Christophers and exciting young Sale Sharks forward Chris Jones.

The 56 times-capped Bath back Mike Catt would have been a candidate for either tour, but he has reached mutual agreement with Woodward that although now fit following a lengthy hamstring injury, he would be better off taking part in what England describe as a period of “optimised conditioning” during the summer months.