England - star players

NEIL BACK
flanker
It's hard to believe the Leicester Tiger was considered too small at 5ft 10infor the land of the giants which international rugby has become. Back hasproved all the critics wrong and, at 32, this focused and durable playerhas become an indispensable member of Clive Woodward's team. Histrademarks: that blond hair (no peroxide), hunger for work, good hands,quickness around the park and good tackling. He likes to score tries too, soif England's pack crash over for a score expect Back to come up with theball. In the absence of injured Martin Johnson and out-of-sorts MattDawson, he will captain the side against the Aussies and has a point to proveagainst George Smith who outplayed him in the final Lions Test.

JONNY WILKINSON
fly half
Wilkinson has established himself as one of the world's best outsidehalves and he's still only 22. Skilful, intelligent and thoroughly focused,he's already up there with the great place kickers. Under RobAndrew at Newcastle, Wilkinson is showing signs, with that little bit moreexperience, of becoming the master tactician. Eye and pace for the breakand a destructive tackler, but he is not bossing as many games as he shouldat the moment. He's due another big game and will be thirsting for revengeafter the Aussies spoiled his first Lions tour.

AUSTIN HEALEY
jack of all trades
Love him or loathe, the Leicester Lip makes things happen on the pitch -and off it, usually by opening his mouth. But there can be no argument thathe is an outstanding, skilful, quick and agile talent who loves to surpriseby doing the unexpected. A genuine game-breaker. His ability to play in anyposition in the backs has probably cost him in terms of internationalstarts since coaches love him as cover or bring him on as an impact player.With Matt Dawson out of sorts, specialist Kyran Barcken gets the nod atscrum half but Healey fully justifies his start on the wing.

BEN KAY
lock
It was only a matter of time before the thundering hooves of Ben Kay wereheard at Twickenham for England. This commanding and aggressive 6ft 6insleaper had a great tour of the US and Canada playing for England's youngteam in the absence of their Lions and he has taken that form into thedomestic and European season for champions Leicester. Known as M'lud in thedressing room because his father is a High Court judge! Let's hope he cansentence Justin Harrison to a few sleepless nights.

England play Australia, Romania and South Africa at Twickenham in three one-off internationals on successive Saturday's starting November 10.

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