Catt's versatility wins callup for England

LONDON - Utility back Mike Catt has been named in England's 30-man squad for the Rugby World Cup despite not playing for his country for almost two years.

England coach Clive Woodward included the 31-year-old, who won the last of his 56 caps against South Africa in November 2001, because of his ability to cover the first-five and centre roles.

Catt's selection meant there was no room for another utility back, Austin Healey, who was edged out by Andy Gomarsall for the third halfback spot.

The others to miss out were prop Graham Rowntree, lock Simon Shaw, winger James Simpson-Daniel and centre Ollie Smith.

Those on the verge who can now look forward to flying to Perth on October 1 include centre Stuart Abbott - South-African born, like Catt - and winger/fullback Iain Balshaw, as well as injury-prone winger Dan Luger

Balshaw and Abbott both sealed their spots with good performances in Sunday's 45-14 victory over France.

Also in the squad is British Lions forward Martin Corry, whose impressive form in the warm-up games and ability to cover in the second row persuaded Woodward to include him and take only three locks - unluckily for the reliable Shaw.

Catt had not been in Woodward's initial 43-man squad but came into the frame last week when first-five Alex King withdrew with a knee injury.

Catt spent a day at England's training base and satisfied the coaching staff that he was fully recovered from the back and hamstring problems that have dogged him for two years.

With the inexperienced Smith the only cover for Will Greenwood and Mike Tindall, Woodward opted to take Catt to his third World Cup, at the expense of Healey, who can also play first-five.

"In a squad like this you need three people who can play 10, especially when you consider the tough pool matches we have to play and who we may face in the knockout stages," Woodward said.

"Clearly, we've got two in the squad with Jonny Wilkinson and Paul Grayson but we need a third and we'd already lost Charlie Hodgson and Alex King through injury. So quite simply, Mike is the next person in.

"Although his kicking game is fantastic, he's been out for a long time purely because there have been other players ahead of him.

"But I've been speaking to him regularly over the last six months and the biggest thing for me was him getting back to full fitness, which he has done."

Regarding the five players who did not make the final 30, Woodward said: "It's tough on Austin and I've had a long chat with him.

"The biggest thing everyone has got to get their minds around is that I'm not taking a squad of utility players and when we play these games we must have the best 22 available for the key games.

"Austin has had almost a year out [with a knee injury] and although he has done very well, he has not quite done enough to be selected.

"Simon Shaw would be in any other international team in the world and not to pick him or Graham Rowntree are the two hardest decisions I've had to make in my six years with England.

"However, I had to be practical and Martin [Corry] has been playing outstandingly well."

England are in Pool C, where they will open against Georgia on October 12, before playing South Africa, Uruguay and Samoa.

* League stars Lesley Vainikolo and Tevita Vaikona have been left out of Tonga's 30-man squad for the Cup.

Vainikolo, a former Canberra Raiders player, and Vaikona had been told they could play in the Cup if their club, Bradford, were not in the running for the English super league title.

But Bradford are top of the table and the pair have been asked to stay in England.

The absence of two such devastating figures adds to the previous news that Newcastle Falcons wing/loose forward Epi Taione will miss the Cup to focus on his club duties.

But of those who did make the Tonga squad, nine ply their trade in the NPC, seven are based in Australia, four live in Tonga and the rest play mainly in Britain and Japan.

Japan-based Inoke Afeaki will captain the team.



* Centre Lisandro Arbizu will captain Argentina. They are in the toughest pool, with hosts Australia - whom they play in the opening game on October 10 - Ireland, Romania and Namibia.

After pushing South Africa close in June and beating France twice at home, Argentina are tipped as a dark horse to make the quarter-finals.

- AGENCIES