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Cohen withdraws England wing pulls out of test after father's death
LONDON (Reuters) -- England winger Ben Cohen on Wednesday pulled out of Saturday's test against world champion Australia at Twickenham following the death of his father. English team officials said utility back Austin Healey would replace Cohen on the wing. Center Will Greenwood has been drafted on to the replacements' bench for the clash, the last game of the world champion's European tour. Shortly after expressing his joy at getting into the side on Tuesday ahead of Healey, Cohen was told that his 58-year-old father Peter had died after spending several weeks in hospital following an alleged attack at a nightclub. The 22-year-old Northampton player immediately left the squad to join his family. "Ben called me this morning and we mutually agreed that he will not take part in the game on Saturday," coach Clive Woodward said. "Our deepest sympathies are with Ben and his family at this difficult time." Cohen will have a chance to return to action soon since England is playing two more tests on the two weekends following Saturday's game against Argentina and South Africa. "We have agreed that he will rejoin the squad next week as we prepare for our test match against Argentina," Woodward said. Peter Cohen, the brother of England's 1966-World Cup winning soccer player George Cohen, died from injuries sustained in mid-October when he was trying to break up a brawl outside a Northampton nightclub run by Ben's brother Justin. Cohen's tragedy will have upset the English team which has not beaten the Wallabies since the 1995 World Cup. The two teams drew 15-15 at Twickenham three years ago and Australia just won 12-11 at the same ground in 1998. But Healey is an experienced replacement who can play at scrumhalf and flyhalf as well as on the wing. It was a surprise that the diminutive Leicester back was dropped although he was expected to be used at some time during the game. The Australians, who have beaten France and Scotland on the tour, were due to announce their team later on Wednesday. England (revised): 15-Matt Perry; 14-Austin Healey, 13-Mike Tindall, 12-Mike Catt, 11-Dan Luger; 10-Jonny Wilkinson, 9-Kyran Bracken; 8-Lawrence Dallaglio, 7-Neil Back, 6-Richard Hill, 5-Danny Grewcock, 4-Martin Johnson (captain), 3-Phil Vickery, 2-Phil Greening, 1-Jason Leonard. Replacements: Will Greenwood, Ian Balshaw, Matt Dawson, Martin Corry, Steve Borthwick, Mark Regan, David Flatman.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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