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Trying for a record England targets 10th successive win
VANCOUVER (Reuters) -- England's rugby union team face Canada on Saturday bidding for a record equalling 10th successive win in internationals. But England manager Clive Woodward insisted: "It's not a significant factor." He thinks the Canadian side, strengthened by the return from suspension of tough-tackling Ryan Banks, will be much harder opponents than in the Toronto test last weekend when England won 22-10. "I expect them to be even more aggressive this week," said Woodward, who is looking for an improved performance from his side. "I think our forward pack will need to do better and overall we need more composure. But the keyword in our play will still be variety." By sticking with virtually the same test side Woodward is demonstrating the faith he has in young players like Dave Walder at stand-off and Mike Stephenson on the wing. England's preparations for the second test have been markedly different from the first. "We trained too hard last week with the result that the players felt tired at the end of the game. This week we've been much more relaxed in our approach," said Woodward. Good effect Canada too will be looking to produce a better and more varied performance. Last Saturday it deployed the small chip over the defense to good effect but coach Dave Clark is conscious England will have devised counter-measures. "We may use the high up-and-under or the long kick," said Clark, aware that victory could take Canada from 11th to 10th in the world rankings. "It was turnovers and the pace of the England backs that cost us dearly last Saturday. We will have to play a tighter game," Clark added. "We gave England a lot of angst," he said. "I was pleased we finished so strongly. You might say that we came home with a wet sail. "Crucially England did not score from set-piece play and that was down to our sound defense. We recognize that we don't have the pace that England have on the field but we'll play the Canadian way which is tough and uncompromising. Ryan Banks' return after completing a one game suspension will give Canada a much more abrasive back row with Al Charron, the veteran back-five player moving forward to the lock position, where he will be much more effective. "With Banks back in the team we will have a lot more force in the back row," said Canada coach Dave Clark after announcing his team on Thursday. "Behind Danny Baugh he's the second-hardest tackler in the squad. And with Dixon supplying the catch and pass game we should be effective in the back row even if we lack a bit of height." England is missing 18 first-choice players on British Lions duty but success has been a way of life over the last year with an impressive run, including victories over Australia, South Africa and France. Canada: 15-Winston Stanley (Leicester); 14-Nik Witkowski (Perpignan), 13-John Cannon (Pacific Pride), 12-Bob Ross (James Bay), 11-Sean Fauth (Castaway-Wanderers); 10-Scott Stewart (Bedford), 9-Morgan Williams (Stade Francais); 8-Ryan Banks (Burnaby), 7-Dan Baugh (Cardiff), 6-Gregor Dixon (Aurrillac), 5-John Tait (Cardiff), 4-Al Charron (Pau), 3-John Thiel (Sale), 2-Dale Burley (Toronto Irish), 1-Rod Snow (Newport) Replacements 16-Harry Toews (Castaway-Wanderers), 17-Duane Major (Burnside), 18-Kevin Wirachowski (UBC), 19-Ed Knaggs (Castaway Wanderers), 20-Mike Schmid (Rotherham), 21-Ed Fairhurst (Pacific Pride), 22-Mark Irvine (Bayside). England: 15-Josh Lewsey (Wasps); 14-Paul Sampson (Wasps), 13-Leon Lloyd (Leicester), 12-Jamie Noon (Newcastle), 11-Michael Stephenson (Newcastle); 10-Dave Walder (Newcastle), 9-Kyran Bracken (Saracens, captain); 8-Joe Worsley (Wasps), 7-Lewis Moody (Leicester), 6-Martin Corry (Leicester), 5-Ben Kay (Leicester), 4-Simon Shaw (Wasps) 3-Julian White (Saracens), 2-Dorian West (Leicester), 1-Graham Rowntree (Leicester). Replacements: 16-Mark Regan (Bath), 17-David Flatman (Saracens), 18-Steve White-Cooper (Harlequins), 19-Pat Sanderson (Harlequins), 20-Martyn Wood (Wasps), 21-Alex King (Wasps), 22-Tim Stimpson (Leicester).
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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