Lewis Moody back in English squad after missing first match of Rugby World Cup
Lewis Moody is making a comeback to his team after missing the first clash between England and Argentina on September 10. Moody was diagnosed with a mild ligament damage after sustaining a knee injury in the first Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Wales
on August 6 and was forced to skip the remaining matches of that leg due to the same injury. Martin Johnson, manager of the England squad, revealed his 22 member squad for their next match against Georgia and included Moody in the playing 15.
England is taking on Georgia in its second match of the ongoing Rugby World Cup 2011, on September 18 in Dunedin. Moody has not played a great deal of rugby during last calendar year due to various injuries. However, he was included in England’s final crew
for RWC for his tremendous record in the past. Johnson included him with the hope that the player would be ready for the global event in New Zealand.
Johnson has made nine changes in his side from their last match against Argentina. Courtney Lawes, who has been suspended by Rugby World Cup Ltd for two matches, will by replaced by Tom Palmer in the second row. Incoming Lewis Moody will be placed at flankers’
position whereas Dylan Hartley takes over the hookers’ position from Steve Thompson in the other notable changes.
Talking about the new line up for the Georgia clash, Johnson said that, “It is great to have Lewis back. That was always the plan, that people would have to play and be ready, to give them a chance for the second half of the pool.”
He added that, “We are excited to be back in Dunedin. It was a great game last week, a great atmosphere. It was intense, a real tough battle and it fees like you are almost in sudden death already.”
England will face Georgia on September 18 with the following players:
England: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Shontayne Hape, 11 Delon Armitage, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Nick Easter, 7 Lewis Moody (c), 6 Tom Wood, 5 Tom Palmer, 4 Simon Shaw, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Matt Stevens.
Replacements: 16 Steve Thompson, 17 Alex Corbisiero, 18 Tom Croft, 19 James Haskell, 20 Joe Simpson, 21 Jonny Wilkinson, 22 Matt Banahan.
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