Leonard leads out England

Veteran prop Jason Leonard led out England’s World Cup hopefuls at the Millennium Stadium this afternoon for the first of three warm-up Tests which will help Clive Woodward finalise the make-up of his 30-man squad.

There were no survivors from the starting XV that defeated Australia 25-14 in Melbourne two months ago as Woodward looked to give fringe players such as debutants Dan Scarbrough and Stuart Abbott a chance to prove their mettle.

Remarkably England’s shadow side contained over 300 caps and boasted four Test Lions in Leonard, Mark Regan, Danny Grewcock and Martin Corry – an experienced quartet battling for their World Cup place alongside international novices like Jamie Noon.

England have not lost in Cardiff for 10 years and the decision of coach Steve Hansen to field all his big-guns signalled Wales’ determination to end a dismal run of defeats stretching back nine months.

Llanelli fly-half Stephen Jones was handed the captaincy for the first time as Hansen selected eight of the team that suffered a 26-9 RBS 6 Nations Championship defeat by England last February, including Gareth Thomas, Mark Taylor and Martyn Williams.

Centre Sonny Parker was recalled following his prolonged injury problems last season and there was also an opportunity for 35 times-capped lock Chris Wyatt to press his World Cup claims after recapturing a training squad place.