England coach Clive Woodward handed Jason Leonard the chance to equal the world record of 111 international appearances today when he named the veteran prop in his starting team for Sunday's World Cup quarter-final against Wales.
Leonard, who will equal former France centre Philippe Sella's record, was preferred to Trevor Woodman for the Brisbane game, with Lewis Moody continuing to fill in for the injured Richard Hill in the back row.
Otherwise the team is at full strength with Jonny Wilkinson, who was rested for Sunday's 111-13 win over Uruguay, back to win his 50th cap. Kyran Bracken could also chalk up the half century but he will be disappointed to be starting on the bench after Matt Dawson got the nod as scrumhalf.
Lock Simon Shaw, who arrived in Brisbane on Tuesday as a replacement for the injured Danny Grewcock, is also named among the replacements as the versatile Martin Corry has not completely shaken off a calf injury.
A niggling injury to back-up flyhalf Paul Grayson has also opened the way for Mike Catt to make the bench, despite the Bath back undergoing X-rays for a neck injury sustained in training today.
Leonard arrived in Australia as back-up to Woodman but has forced his way into the starting side with a series of impressive performances.
"There's not much more I can say about Jason," Woodward said when asked to sum up the 35-year-old's achievement in matching Sella's mark. "All I can keep saying is that he is a fantastic guy to be with as a player and off the pitch but there is no sentiment here. He is in the team on merit."
Leonard, who also have five caps from three British Lions tours, was his usual modest self when asked about the achievement. "It's not about me, all my thoughts are on the team winning this quarter-final," said the prop who made his England debut in 1990.
England- 15-Josh Lewsey; 14-Jason Robinson, 13-Will Greenwood, 12-Mike Tindall, 11-Ben Cohen; 10-Jonny Wilkinson, 9-Matt Dawson; 8-Lawrence Dallaglio, 7-Neil Back, 6-Lewis Moody, 5-Ben Kay, 4-Martin Johnson (captain), 3-Phil Vickery, 2-Steve Thompson, 1-Jason Leonard.
Replacements:16-Dorian West, 17-Trevor Woodman, 18-Simon Shaw, 19-Joe Worsley, 20-Kyran Bracken, 21-Mike Catt, 22-Iain Balshaw.
