Three men who can keep dream alive...
If England are going to win on Sunday these are the men who Clive Woodward knows will have to be at the top of their game...
Ben Kay
(in the lineout)
England have one of the world's outstanding line-out jumpers in Ben Kay and he controls where the ball is thrown. Martin Johnson is a more limited but usually secure option at the front while Lawrence Dallaglio is occasionally used at the tail. Steve Thompson's line-out throwing can suffer under pressure and it will be Wales's ability to compete on the England throw that will be crucial. Kay is adept at stealing opposition ball and expect Wales to vary the numbers in their lineout in an attempt to negate the big Leicester lock.
Phil Vickery
(in the scrum)
England have recalled the legend that is Jason Leonard to shore up this area of the game. Leonard has seen it all before and is regarded as one of the strongest props in the game. Wales could score a major psychological blow, however, if they pressure Phil Vickery, the England tight head. Vickery's scrummaging can be exposed and Wales know this. If he does not concentrate at every scrum he can be driven up by opposition props. He has to fight to stay low. Take away England's scrum platform and a shock could be on the cards.
Lawrence Dallaglio
(in the break down)
Getting hands on the ball at the break down is never a problem for Neil Back and Lawrence Dallaglio, although the referees often decide it is. They have been giving away too many penalties in this area and yellow cards have been threatened. Dallaglio has been England's main offender and one of the features of the tournament has been the quizzical look he gives referees each time for . . . delaying the ball, not rolling over, failing to stay on his feet (he's given away a full house of penalties). England are past masters at slowing down opposition ball but with officials keeping a close watch they will have to be at their crafty best on Sunday. If England go down to 14 men it will be a hanging offence.
