Ashton lays down challenge to Hazell

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The Gloucester flanker will pull on England's number seven shirt against South Africa in Bloemfontein following a domestic season which saw him earn rave reviews.

Head coach Brian Ashton said: "First of all, Andy has had a good, consistent season with Gloucester. 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 added: "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 on Wednesday after missing Tuesday'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.