Ruthless Woodward

The international careers of Jason Leonard and Neil Back appear to have been ended by Clive Woodward.

The England veterans were not selected today by the head coach for Saturday's Six Nations clash with Wales at Twickenham.

Although both could still be picked for the last match against France, the fact Woodward has left them out this time would indicate their lengthy service for England is at an end.

Leonard, who last week announced he intended to retire from international rugby this summer, still wanted a Twickenham farewell which he has now been denied.

Back also told Woodward last Friday that he would follow Leonard by not making himself available for the summer tour to Australia and New Zealand.

England's shock 19-13 defeat by Ireland which ended a 22 - game unbeaten record at Twickenham has also cost Iain Balshaw, Steve Borthwick and Joe Worsley-their places in the team. Coming into the side are centre Mike Tindall, whose arrival has seen Robinson moved into the No15 role, Bath captain Danny Grewcock is at lock while Sale's Chris Jones is given the blindside flanker's role he held in the win over Scotland.

Significantly, Woodward has selected Ben Cohen, who was yesterday stripped of his ticket allocation for Twickenham matches. A ticket given to Cohen by the Rugby Football Union ended up with an unofficial ticket agency but he has obviously been forgiven for this major error in judgement.

Surprisingly, hooker Steve Thompson, who was responsible for England losing 11 of their own line-outs has retained his place while reserve hooker Mark Regan has been named despite injury.

England team to play Wales at Twickenham on Saturday:

J Robinson (Sale Sharks); J Lewsey (Wasps), W Greenwood (Harlequins), M Tindall (Bath), B Cohen (Northampton); P Grayson (Northampton), M Dawson (Northampton); T Woodman (Gloucester), S Thompson (Northampton), P Vickery (Gloucester), D Grewcock (Bath), B Kay (Leicester), C Jones (Sale Sharks), R Hill (Saracens), L Dallaglio (Wasps, capt).

Replacements: M Regan (Leeds), J White (Leicester), S Borthwick (Bath), J Worsley (Wasps), A Gomarsall (Gloucester), M Catt (Bath), J Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester).