Ashton lays down Hazell challenge
Andy Hazell has been challenged to put down a World Cup marker when he makes his England return after a two-year absence on Saturday.
The Gloucester flanker will wear the number seven shirt against South Africa in Bloemfontein following a domestic season which saw him earn rave reviews.
Transferring that form onto the international stage is his next challenge as he makes a first England appearance since the 2005 Six Nations Championship victory over Scotland at Twickenham.
Hazell’s seventh cap, and third start, comes with England facing what most pundits believe is little more than a damage-limitation exercise, given they are minus more than 30 players.
But 29-year-old Hazell could gain a lot from the Springboks experience as head coach Brian Ashton builds towards naming a World Cup training squad next month.
“First of all, Andy has had a good, consistent season with Gloucester,” Ashton said.
“I think physically he is a bigger player than when he last played for England, and I think he is a more experienced and knowledgeable player. He probably knows his way around the rugby field far better than he did when he played before.
“He will realise what an enormous one-on-one challenge it is going to be for him, although there may be some natural advantages on his side as an out-and-out seven.
“We are looking for out-and-out sevens. He can’t play anywhere else, he can only play seven.
“England have mixed and matched and put all sorts of people in the seven jersey in the last three seasons, and Andy Hazell has got a chance to show that maybe he is one of the sevens that should be included in the World Cup squad.”
England, meanwhile, will hope fly-half Jonny Wilkinson can take part in training today after missing yesterday’s session with a stomach upset.
Flanker Pat Sanderson and a couple of the England management have also been affected, although Sanderson was able to train within 24 hours.
Ashton’s line-up has an inexperienced feel about it, containing three newcomers in Harlequins full-back Mike Brown, Gloucester prop Nick Wood and Sale lock Dean Schofield, while 35-year-olds Mark Regan and Stuart Turner feature in the front-row.
“The very fact we are playing South Africa means it will be a physical contest. We’ve just got to accept that and confront it, and find a way around it as well,” Ashton added.
“Training has been fairly competitive. Even when it was meant to be non-contact yesterday, it became a pretty physical effort.
“It’s been competitive because virtually every position was up for grabs when we set out.
“There are individuals who I need to be really clear about by the time I fly back to England in terms of their ability to handle international rugby, and of players playing together and how they manage a game.
“I’ve got a pretty good idea in my mind of one or two players who will probably start next weekend, but there is also a certain amount of fluidity because I suspect we will probably pick up a couple of injuries this Saturday.”
South Africa coach Jake White is expected to name his starting line-up later today, with a strong influence anticipated from this season’s Super 14 finalists the Bulls and Sharks.
