True-blue British bulldog

By DAVID LEGGAT

We've all heard the old line: modern rugby has no place for the small man.

No one told little Welsh flier Shane Williams as he twinkle-toed his way through the All Blacks defence last Sunday night.

But for more long-lasting evidence that big bruisers do not have the run of all 15 spots these days, look no further than the player who will run out with No 7 on his back for England against Wales on Sunday night.

The title of Neil Back's autobiography published a few years ago tells the story: Size Doesn't Matter.

Sunday will be his 64th England cap - among the forwards only Brian Moore with 64 and present packmates Jason Leonard, with 110 and captain Martin Johnson, who plays No 82 on Sunday can compare - in a career which began against Scotland in 1994.

At 1.78m and 93kg, Back is the counterpoint to the considerable bulk elsewhere in the England pack. His job is to get to the breakdown and snaffle possession. He may lack the spectacular qualities of France's outstanding Olivier Magne or sheer speed of All Black Richie McCaw, but experience brings wisdom and he has learnt how to get to where he can be most effective.

His talent has also resulted in a body lumbered with the physical damage his job brings. Rarely does a game pass without Back heading for the blood bin or bearing the scars of battle.

This is his third World Cup campaign, after 1995 and 1999, and at 34 certainly his last. Back is sure this is the best equipped of those three teams to win the title.

"I've been there through the amateur era and now through the professional era and we've moved to a new level. This England team are better than any before it."

Against England is their recent history of falling on the big occasion.

But they have had the wood on Wales in their last five meetings, putting up more than 40 points on all but one occasion. Back makes it clear though that history will be irrelevant come Sunday.

"Every team we play the preparation is exactly the same, the detail is exactly the same. This will be no different. You've got to forget games in the past."

Back dismisses talk that England's bid for the cup has hit the speed wobbles after tough scrapes against South Africa and Samoa. The trick is to take the best parts out of every game and use it to your team's advantage.

Not having played to what England believe is their full potential so far in the tournament is simply an incentive.

"It gives you stronger resolve. All championship-winning sides have off days, but hopefully not too many.

"It's a sign of a good side when you have off days and it doesn't quite click and you still win.

"We all strive for the perfect game. We've not done that yet. Having said that, we've won four out of four. That was our objective.

"If we win the next three, then we're in heaven."

Back has had to do without his outstanding flank partner Richard Hill since Hill damaged a hamstring in England's opening game against Georgia.

That has brought problems with Back being isolated at the ruck if the ball moves wide. Penalties have come more frequently than they would have wished as they try to slow the opposition down.

But Back says the team are trying to rectify the problem.

Back is eyeing a coaching future but is not talking about the end of the line - at least not in so many words.

"A World Cup is often a point in a player's career when he says, 'Right that's enough internationally'." Make what you will of that.

Back to Wales.

He talks glowingly of their performance against the All Blacks. Again the message is emphasised: no complacency, no short cuts on Sunday.

His best man was Welsh.

"He's a top guy. He doesn't know what shirt to wear when England and Wales meet.

But for Back, there will be no such conflicting emotions for 80 minutes at Suncorp Stadium.

Neil Back

Born: Coventry, Jan 16, 1969

Height: 1.78m

Weight: 93kg

Position: Openside flanker

Test debut: v Scotland 1994

Test caps: 63

Test points: 73 - 14 tries, one drop goal

World Cups: 1995 (three games), 1999 (four games), 2003 (three games)

Club: Leicester

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