Leonard to win 100th England cap

LONDON (AP) -- Jason Leonard was Monday selected to win his 100th cap for England in its Six Nations clash with France at Twickenham this weekend.

Leonard is poised to become only the third member of an exclusive club of players who have played 100 tests, joining Frenchman Philippe Sella (111 caps) and Australian David Campese (101).

Leonard, who made his test debut in 1990, keeps his place for Saturday's match from the England side that defeated South Africa 53-3 in November.

"I have honestly not thought about it at all because I just go from game to game but when I finish playing I think I will probably look back and say what a marvelous achievement," Leonard said.

"When I started playing, 28 or 29 caps was a great career."

England coach Clive Woodward made three changes from the side that beat South Africa, calling up Sharks' Charlie Hodgson, Harlequins wing Dan Luger and Bristol Shoguns prop Julian White.

Sharks flyhalf Hodgson will be in the center though, replacing Bath's Mike Tindall, while Luger returns following injury problems instead of Phil Christophers on the wing.

Up front, White passed a fitness test Monday on a knee problem, giving him the all clear to take over from back-injury victim Phil Vickery in the front row.

There are three changes on the bench from the South Africa game, Leicester prop Graham Rowntree, Christophers and Gloucester wing James Simpson-Daniel all among the replacements.

The substitutes also include former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio who again failed to break up Woodward's current back row trio of Lewis Moody, Neil Back and Richard Hill.

Woodward paid tribute to Leonard, who he said was playing as well as ever.

"I would like to offer my congratulations to Jason," Woodward said. "He has achieved this landmark on merit, and has made a significant contribution to this squad."

Leonard is likely to be handed the honor of running out alone at Twickenham to mark the milestone, although he insisted that nothing had been promised yet.

"Austin Healey wants me to run out and do a forward roll or a back flip. That's typical Austin but I can say right now that won't happen," he said.

"The reception you get as you run on to the pitch makes you feel 10 feet tall but you are so focused on the match you just have to run out, say thank you and get on with the game.

"You have to remember you are playing against France and the second you take your eye off the ball you are lost."

England team: Jason Robinson; Dan Luger, Will Greenwood, Charlie Hodgson, Ben Cohen, Jonny Wilkinson, Matt Dawson; Jason Leonard, Steve Thompson, Julian White, Martin Johnson (captain), Ben Kay, Lewis Moody, Neil Back, Richard Hill.

Replacements: Mark Regan, Graham Rowntree, Danny Grewcock, Lawrence Dallaglio, Andy Gomarsall, Phil Christophers, James Simpson-Daniel

 

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