Christophers gets England call-up

Bristol Shoguns wing Phil Christophers will replace James Simpson-Daniel in the England team to tackle South Africa at Twickenham…

Bristol Shoguns wing Phil Christophers will replace James Simpson-Daniel in the England team to tackle South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.

Christophers, a member of England's 13-player national academy squad, will win his second cap after Gloucester's Simpson-Daniel withdrew last night after being diagnosed with glandular fever.

Christophers made his Test debut against Argentina in Buenos Aires in June, scoring a superb solo try as the understrength tourists triumphed 26-18.

It will be his second England start at Twickenham, having featured during last season's non-cap fixture against The Barbarians.

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England boss Clive Woodward has resisted any temptation to make further changes as his team seek a November clean sweep of the Tri-Nations heavyweights.

Test Lions Lawrence Dallaglio and Danny Grewcock remain on the replacements' bench, along with Leicester's Austin Healey, who will win his 50th cap if he makes an appearance.

Gloucester prop Trevor Woodman remains sidelined with a neck/shoulder problem sustained during scrummaging practice last week, which ruled him out of the Australia game.

Jason Leonard will again wear the number one jersey, winning his 99th cap.

South Africa have arrived in London on the back of their first defeat against Scotland for 33 years and England are confidently expected to defeat them.

Woodward's men have won their last 17 Tests at Twickenham and are looking to make it eight victories in a row against Tri-Nations opposition.

England team to play South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday:

J Robinson (Sale Sharks); B Cohen (Northampton), W Greenwood (Harlequins), M Tindall (Bath), P Christophers (Bristol Shoguns), J Wilkinson (Newcastle), M Dawson (Northampton); J Leonard (Harlequins), S Thompson (Northampton), P Vickery (Gloucester), M Johnson (Leicester, capt), B Kay (Leicester), L Moody (Leicester), N Back (Leicester), R Hill (Saracens).

Replacements:
M Regan (Leeds), R Morris (Northampton), D Grewcock (Bath), L Dallaglio (Wasps), A Gomarsall (Gloucester), A Healey (Leicester), T Stimpson (Leicester).

PA