Walder steps into Jonny's boots

England replaced one goalkicking Newcastle fly half with another yesterday - Dave Walder leading the charge of the Geordie boys in succession to Jonny Wilkinson.

Three weeks after reaching the ripe old age of 23, Walder completes his conversion from schoolboy footballer at Newcastle United to international rugby cap against Canada in Toronto on Saturday, when England attempt to keep winning despite losing 18 players to the Lions. The new goalkicker, preferred to the more experienced Alex King, will at least be keeping familiar company.

Michael Stephenson's rocketing promotion to the left wing at the age of 20 and Jamie Noon's elevation alongside the blazing Leon Lloyd in midfield completes a trio of new caps from Tyneside.

Two more debutants are to be found in the pack, lock Ben Kay and flanker Lewis Moody rewarded for their contributions to Leicester's memorable season. Nobody is more deserving of renewed England recognition than the Tigers' loosehead prop Graham Rowntree, back on Red Rose duty for the first time since before the World Cup two years ago.

In contrast, the European champions' leading scorer, Tim Stimpson, finds himself marooned on the bench, with Josh Lewsey given the full back position temporarily vacated by Iain Balshaw.

ENGLAND: J Lewsey; P Sampson (both Wasps), L Lloyd (Leicester), J Noon, M Stephenson; D Walder (all Newcastle), K Bracken (Saracens, capt); G Rowntree, D West (both Leicester), J White (Saracens); S Borthwick (Bath), B Kay; M Corry, L Moody (all Leicester), J Worsley (Wasps).