Gomarsall cast in familiar role as England's saviour

Now after England's wretched start to the 2007 tournament, he has been handed the key scrum-half role for Saturday's must-win clash against Samoa.

It's a remarkable turnaround for a player who last year feared his career was over after being dumped by Worcester and only came back into the England fold this summer after a three-year absence.

The Harlequins man takes over the No9 shirt from Shaun Perry, with England hoping he can provide the inspiration to ignite a redesigned back division led by Jonny Wilkinson and featuring the highly-rated Olly Barkley and Mathew Tait in midfield.

When he burst onto the Test scene, Gomarsall used to look to attack the defence himself close to the break down but the 32-year-old now has a greater appreciation of the game.

To get the best out of him, England have to produce quick ball to let the scrum-half dictate the pace of the match as his fast hands and flat pass invite support runners to hit the line at pace.

His tactical kicking game is also important and this is one skill that sets him apart from Perry and Peter Richards, the other scrum-half option, who is a replacement for the Pool A game in Nantes.

Quins director of rugby Dean Richards is well aware of the value of Gomarsall. He said: "Andy has been outstanding since joining Quins and is probably the best communicator of all the scrum-halves in the country."

It was Richards who saved Gomarsall's career after the scrum-half was axed by Worcester just 12 months into a three-year deal.

The club's decision could not have come at a worst time for Gomarsall, who suddenly found himself out of work just weeks before the birth of his twin daughters.

Gomarsall said: "You could say my roller-coaster career is continuing. A year ago I was staring at the real possibility my career was over.

"I was very lucky the girls were about to be born because they became the focal point. Even when I was dumped by Worcester I still held onto the idea of being part of the 2007 World Cup. But things changed for the better and Quins gave me the chance to return to the Premiership." Gomarsall was initially signed on a pay-as-you-play deal while the club made sure the No9 still had the quick hands and game management to make a difference in the top flight.

The trial period went so well, Gomarsall signed a long- term contract and his performances at club level made him difficult to ignore when Leicester's Harry Ellis was ruled out of the World Cup by injury.

Gomarsall returned to the England scene when he played in the First Test against South Africa in May in Bloemfontein. He added: "I still have a burning ambition to be successful.

"Joining Quins has given me a new lease of life."

Gomarsall scored two tries in the 111-13 victory over Uruguay in the pool stages of the 2003 World Cup and England will need a similar performance on Saturday if they are to regain shattered confidence.