Veteran West on England standby

13 April 2012

England have put veteran Leicester hooker Dorian West on standby for the Six Nations, which starts in Cardiff next month.

West, 33 and third in the national ratings, will be on duty for the opening match against Wales on February 3 if Phil Greening fails to recover from knee surgery and England take the advice of rugby's most successful Premiership Leicester's Dean Richards.

Richards said:'Dorian's been the best all-round hooker in England for some time. I'd have him in from the start against Wales.' Greening, No.1 at the start of the season, has not played since aggravating a knee injury against South Africa six weeks ago. Mark Regan, next in the pecking order, has been dropped by Bath.

Both are among a Six Nations squad of 30 named yesterday but the uncertainty over form and fitness has prompted manager Clive Woodward to summon West for training before finalising his 22 for Cardiff.

Welsh-born West, whose family moved to England 30 years ago, has won three caps as a substitute, most recently against Argentina.

A starting place would make him the second oldest post-War English player to make a full debut behind Gosforth prop Colin White, who was 35 when capped against New Zealand 18 years ago.

Woodward said: 'I don't care how old anyone is as long as he's good enough. This is a match we have to win.'

It is certain that Martin Johnson will lead England in Cardiff and that Matt Dawson will be at scrum half, providing he eliminates concern over his damaged shoulder.

Barring further injury, England's only other selection debate will be at centre. Will Greenwood will take some shifting after his try-scoring return against the Springboks as replacement for Mike Catt. Mike Tindall's recent form has strengthened his claim at out-side centre so Catt may find himself on the bench as specialist fly half cover for Jonny Wilkinson.

Leon Lloyd, Leicester's centre-cum-wing, reclaims his place in the 30 with Newcastle centre Jamie Noon appearing for the first time.

Yorkshireman Noon, 21, whom Newcastle discovered playing in the Durham-Northumberland League, senses a big opportunity. He said: 'I don't think the outside centre position has been nailed down and that's my ultimate goal.'

The other uncapped players in the squad are Bath lock Steve Borthwick and Sale flanker Alex Sanderson.

Scotland include Newcastle flanker Andy Mower, who turned England down three months ago, in a 31-man training squad preparing for their opener in France on February 4.

Glasgow wing James Craig and Bristol centre Jamie Mayer are recalled.

ENGLAND - Backs: M Perry, A Healey, J Lewsey, I Balshaw, B Cohen, D Luger, L Lloyd, M Tindall, W Greenwood, M Catt, J Noon, J Wilkinson, M Dawson, K Bracken. Forwards: J Leonard, D Flatman, P Vickery, J White, P Greening, M Regan, M Johnson (capt), S Shaw, D Grewcock, S Borthwick, R Hill, N Back, L Dallaglio, J Worsley, M Corry, A Sanderson. Stand-by: D West, A Gomersall.

SCOTLAND - Backs: A Bulloch, J Craig, D Hodge, J Leslie, K Logan, J McLaren, J Mayer, C Murray, A Nicol, C Paterson, B Redpath, J Steel, G Townsend, K Utterson. Forwards - S Brotherstone, G Bulloch, I Fullarton, G Graham, S Grimes, A Jacobsen, M Leslie, D Mackinnon, R Metcalfe, A Mower, S Murray, J Petrie, B Pountney, R Russell, T Smith, M Stewart, J White.

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