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Hill out for key England match

England suffered a double blow yesterday on the eve of its crucial World Cup match against South Africa, losing Matt Dawson and Richard Hill through injury.

Both players injured hamstrings in England's opening win against Georgia on Sunday but were named in the starting side on Wednesday.

"We had a final team run this morning and it was a no-brainer in the end. You just want to go with players who are 100 percent fit and those two weren't quite ready," said coach Woodward.

Kyran Bracken will replace Dawson at scrumhalf and Lewis Moody comes in for flanker Hill. Andy Gomarsall will be back up for Bracken while Joe Worsley also joins the bench.

Bracken has also been under an injury cloud having pulled out of the Georgia match after suffering a back strain in the warmup.

"He's a 100 percent," promised Woodward.

If he has fully recovered, Bracken is an able replacement for Dawson with Woodward believing there is little between them.

Hill's loss may be more significant. His absence from the British Lions tour of Australia in 2001 was considered a leading factor in their 2-1 series loss.

While dealing with the injuries, the England management also had to contend with a media circus at training yesterday after television crews arrived hoping to find Prince Harry there supporting the team.

"The word was that Prince Harry was coming," said Woodward. "I know we've got injury problems but we're not that [desperate]. In our wildest dreams, and I've got a lot of respect for Prince Harry, but I wouldn't invite a member of the royal family to a final training session before we played South Africa."

South Africa also made changes to its starting lineup but all four were tactical changes following a 72-6 win over Uruguay.

The most significant moves are in the front row where Christo Bezuidenhout makes a starting debut and at fullback where Jaco van der Westhuyzen comes in for Werner Greeff.

The England injuries and pursuit of Prince Harry added a late touch of drama to a buildup dominated by watchful respect and anxious waiting.

England has waited four years to avenge its 1999 exit, South Africa 11 months to wipe away the misery of a record 50-point loss. And rugby fans around the world have looked forward to this game above all others in the pool stages of the World Cup.

Much has been made of South Africa's mental meltdown at Twickenham last year, the relative experience of England's "Dad's Army" and South Africa's "baby Boks" and the mountain that will be placed in front of the loser Saturday night.

"It's a huge challenge," says England coach Clive Woodward. "It's a great matchup between two of the best sides in the world and it's going to be a great game."

At least the two coaches had something to agree on.

"I think we're all excited, both teams, players and management," said South Africa's coach Rudi Straeuli. "This is the kind of game you compete in rugby for."

The last time the teams met there was nothing competitive about it. South Africa went down 53-3, kicking, screaming and dragging the game into the dirt.

"That's history," says Woodward. "It's a day I don't think anyone involved with wants to go back to. Everyone has apologized, made up and we've got to get on with it."

The South Africans know how spectacularly they failed when they took the rough stuff too far last time.

"It will not be a Korean war, nor a Boer war, nor any other war," said Springbok team manager Gideon Sam. "It will be 15 men against 15, it will be professionals against professionals."
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