Bracken back for England

By Jason Harris
February 18 2003

Saracens scrum half and captain Kyran Bracken has been recalled into the England starting lineup to face Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

In what must be seen as a surprise move by England supremo Clive Woodward, Bracken comes in for Andy Gomarsall who deputised for the injured Matt Dawson against France. The Gloucester man drops to the bench to make way for the Sarries favourite.

Bracken was concussed in Saracens' home defeat to Gloucester on 2 February and will return right at the very end of his mandatory 21-day rest period which saw him miss leading England 'A' against their French counterparts.

Richard Hill, the other Saracens player in the squad, is part of a very experienced back row announced by Woodward. Lawrence Dallaglio comes in after Lewis Moody was ruled out with injury and the triumverate is completed by Neil Back. It is the first time the three players have been in the same starting lineup in two years.

The game in Cardiff kicks off at 5.30pm and will be televised live on the BBC.

England Squad:

15. Jason Robinson (Sharks)
14. Dan Luger (NEC Harlequins)
13. Will Greenwood (NEC Harlequins)
12. Charlie Hodgson (Sharks)
11. Ben Cohen (Northampton Saints)
10. Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle Falcons)
9. Kyran Bracken (Saracens)

1. Graham Rowntree (Leicester Tigers)
2. Steve Thompson (Northampton Saints)
3. Julian White (Bristol Shoguns)
4. Martin Johnson (Leicester Tigers, captain)
5. Ben Kay (Leicester Tigers)
6. Lawrence Dallaglio (London Wasps)
7. Neil Back (Leicester Tigers)
8. Richard Hill (Saracens)

REPLACEMENTS

16. Mark Regan (Leeds Tykes)
17. Mike Worsley (London Irish)
18. Danny Grewcock (Bath Rugby)
19. Joe Worsley (London Wasps)
20. Andy Gomarsall (Gloucester)
21. Phil Christophers (Bristol Shoguns)
22. James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester)