Filed under: Rugby Union, Six Nations, England Rugby, Wales Rugby
Maybe it is because England are not exactly spoiled for choice in the centres or perhaps it is because Mike Tindall has royal connections through his fiancee Zara Phillips - but for some reason he has been named captain for the opening Six Nations game against Wales. Tindall is preferred over No 8 Nick Easter to take the captaincy in the absence of Lewis Moody, who is out of the first three games with a knee ligament injury.
But there are some who would contend that if England were at full strength, there would be a case for leaving out the 32-year-old Gloucester man. He is not the quickest, nor is he the most mobile of midfield men.
Many believe Tindall is more suited to the 10-man rugby that was the hallmark of Martin Johnson's beginnings in charge, rather than the expansive brand of the game fans saw in the autumn - and what they are likely to be up against at the Millenium Stadium on Friday night.
Tindall aside, the biggest eyebrow-raiser among the men Johnson has picked is Northampton's Tom Wood who will make his England debut at blindside flanker, capping a swift rise up the ranks.
A week ago he was playing for the Saxons having been overlooked for the senior squad altogether. But with the injury list Johnson has to contend with, he has been handed the No 6 jersey.
Johnson said: "It's not great to have guys injured but this is a chance for Tom that maybe he wouldn't have got that if the other guys were fit. But he's certainly worth a go and worth his place in the team. He was very impressive when he came in during the autumn and in what he does every week with his club."
James Haskell, who would normally occupy the blindside role, switches to openside to provide experience in Moody's place. Jonny Wilkinson is part of the squad for the first time this season, but must make do with a place on the bench, as he ousts Charlie Hodgson from the 22 altogether.
Over a third of the starting line-up will be making their Millennium Stadium debut, with Wood, Ben Foden, Chris Ashton, Shontayne Hape, Ben Youngs and Dan Cole having never played there.
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It is also New Zealand-born Hape's first Six Nations experience, along with scrum-half Youngs, who has been told to keep a lid on celebrations if he happens to score against Wales.
Youngs got in hot water when he put his finger to his lips when he scored against Llanelli Scarlets for Leicester, prompting Welsh fans to accuse the 21-year-old No 9 of arrogance.
And he told the Sun that even his mother was embarrassed at his antics. He said: "I got really told off by my mum. Playing in a big Anglo-Welsh game in the Heineken Cup, sometimes you get lost in the moment.
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