Viljoen, Woodward have different reasons for needing win

LONDON - England's clash with South Africa at Twickenham tomorrow could have contrasting impacts on the careers of opposing coaches Clive Woodward and Harry Viljoen.

Viljoen, a successful businessman who answered the Springbok call a year ago, admits his job could be on the line if his team do not beat England, especially after a surprise defeat by France in Paris two weeks ago.

England, by contrast, have a chance to cement their new position among the top two teams in the world with what would be a historic third consecutive defeat of the Springboks, a fortnight after a victory over world champions Australia.

An English victory would provide clear proof that Woodward, who took charge in 1997, has been successful in turning England into an attacking team who can conquer the Southern Hemisphere superpowers on a regular basis.

Only the All Blacks are playing as well as the English at the moment.

The Twickenham game could, therefore, have a huge influence on preparations for the next World Cup, in Australia and New Zealand in 2003.

Viljoen has more to lose. Although the Springbok coach is in the middle of a rebuilding process, he is aware that South Africans can run out of patience if their team are not winning regularly.

The Springboks have lost their last two encounters to England, at Twickenham and in Bloemfontein last year, and Viljoen knows that ending the losing run would ease the pressure on him.

"If we don't win, I don't know what is going to happen next year.

"If we get the win, I can stick to it and we can relax more. South Africans want to win every game," he said.

Viljoen has announced just one change to the side for tomorrow's game, bringing back experienced lock Mark Andrews.

Andrews comes into the second row for AJ Venter, who moves back to flanker in place of the dropped Joe van Niekerk.

England welcome back lock and captain Martin Johnson after injury.

He missed the 21-15 defeat of Australia and last week's 134-0 destruction of lightweights Romania.

* Despite consecutive victories over South Africa (20-10) and world champions Australia (14-13), French coach Bernard Laporte insists his side show in tomorrow's game against Fiji that they have at last developed some consistency.

"[The] game will be important. We'll see if we are now able to remotivate ourselves after climbing Everest twice," he said.

"From now on, if we want to be ready for the World Cup, we shall have to be at 150 per cent all the time, never mind the opponents.

"I want us to stop having ups and downs. I want to cure this French disease."

Despite the French desire, they should not be stretched by an under-strength Fijian side who have been badly hit by injuries.

However, the Fijians' spirit has been boosted by the return of France-based sevens specialist Waisale Serevi, who has not played a 15-a-side test since the 1999 World Cup.

They also restored some pride in a battling 17-15 win over the French Barbarians on Sunday and welcome back captain Alifereti Doviverata from suspension after being sent off against Italy.

* Wales are optimistically planning to follow the lead of England and France by targeting the fragile Australian forwards in Monday morning's test while shutting down Wallaby halfback George Gregan.

Welsh halfback Rob Howley admits he and his team-mates will be facing a huge task against the tourists at Millennium Stadium, but has spied an opportunity to crack a vulnerable Gregan.

The Wallaby skipper was well off his game behind a beaten pack in Australia's losses to England and France.

"There must be a few edgy nerves in that Australian camp, having lost to England and France, but we have to do the business," Howley said.

"What you have to do with Australia is beat them in a physical confrontation. I think England and France did that."

* Italy round off their three November tests when they play Samoa tomorrow morning.

Samoa, visiting Italy for the first time, go into the test after a 35-8 loss to Ireland in Dublin and managed to make it to Italy thanks only to the financial support of the International Rugby Board and the resolution of visa problems that left five of their players stranded in England.

But they are defending a 100 per cent record over Italy, having defeated them in the 1995 World Cup in South Africa and last summer on home soil.

- AGENCIES