England star Jonny Wilkinson may miss the chance to return to the scene of his greatest moment after being named on the bench for Saturday’s rugby Test against Australia.
England coach Martin Johnson made two changes from the team which went down 27-17 to the Wallabies in Perth last week, but couldn’t find a starting role for the 2003 World Cup-winning hero.
While the ANZ Stadium crowd would no doubt relish seeing the man whose drop-goal won England the William Webb Ellis trophy seven years ago at the same venue, Johnson has stuck with Toby Flood at five-eighth for Saturday’s clash.
Shontayne Hape will also keep his spot at inside centre, with Ben Youngs and Courtney Lawes the two players brought into the team named on Thursday.
Youngs will start at halfback in place of Danny Care after making an impression off the bench in Perth, while Lawes comes in at lock ahead of veteran Simon Shaw.
Johnson, the winning captain in 2003, said both players had earned the chance to shine.
“This is a great opportunity for Ben, who has been with us since the middle of the Six Nations – the same for Courtney,” he said.
“Ben brings something different to Danny but it is not a reflection on Danny’s performance. It is just an opportunity to get Ben on the field.
“It is a tough call on Danny, who has not done anything particularly wrong. Simon Shaw certainly hasn’t done anything wrong but Courtney Lawes has really stepped up in the last few weeks since we have been together.
“He is very athletic and gets around the field and is very aggressive.”
Johnson said the temptation to give Wilkinson a starting role had been strong but he had resisted it to stick by Flood.
“There is always a rationale for playing Jonny but we are happy with what we have got with Toby,” he said.
“We can’t give them that many shots. They are a good team and they will get something on us but we made it too easy for them last week.”
Another 2003 World Cup hero, centre Mike Tindall, has recovered from a corked leg to retain his spot but there was no place in the 22-man squad for Mathew Tait, whose seat on the bench has been taken by Delon Armitage.
England side: Ben Foden, Mark Cueto, Mike Tindall, Shontayne Hape, Chris Ashton, Toby Flood, Ben Youngs, Tim Payne, Steve Thompson, Dan Cole, Courtney Lawes, Tom Palmer, Tom Croft, Lewis Moody (capt), Nick Easter. Res: George Chuter, David Wilson, Simon Shaw, James Haskell, Danny Care, Jonny Wilkinson, Delon Armitage.
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