Waters books a place in England side

Three years ago Fraser Waters seemed to be finished as a rugby player but this Saturday he begins a whole new life as an England international.

The Wasps centre was on the point of quitting the game in the summer of 1998. A groin injury meant he had not touched a ball in 18 months and his club, Bristol, had no option but to release him.

'I was very close to giving up,' said the 25-year-old Waters. An economics graduate, he began training to become a financial adviser as the need for a 'real' job beckoned.

But Wasps offered him a contract and the chance to get fit. He took it, played his first game in January 1999 and has not looked back. Two sterling performances for the midweek side on England's North American tour have propelled him into the Test side for the final tour match here against the United States.

He said: 'There were six centres picked initially so just getting a start in the midweek side was the first thing to do. To get picked for this one is great.' He is called up because Leicester's Leon Lloyd switches from centre to wing, replacing Paul Sampson of Wasps, who broke a leg in the victory over Canada last Saturday. Steve Borthwick takes over from injured lock Ben Kay in the only other change to the starting line-up.

The more significant changes occur on the bench, where manager Clive Woodward has picked Olly Barkley, the 19-year-old fly half or centre who has yet to play a senior club match in England.