Grayson keeps grip on reality

Pool C Preview: England v Uruguay: With the possible exception of the person elected to lead the British Tory party, outhalf Paul Grayson must have the toughest job in Britain when he attempts to fill the kicking boots of Jonny Wilkinson. Imagine trying to improve on a spectacular David Beckham free-kick or out-drive Tiger Woods at Augusta.

That is the size of Grayson's task against Uruguay tomorrow in the final game in Pool C, if he is to harbour a serious notion of taking part in the knockout stages of the rugby World Cup. Grayson is nothing if not realistic.

"Shift Jonny in a week?" he mused yesterday with a rueful smile and a shake of the head. "That might be slightly a tall order. I'm happy to get another start for England and to play in another World Cup.

"I've got to tell myself England are no worse off when I'm playing," said Grayson. "I believe that. Woody (England head coach Clive Woodward) has said that before now."

It is refreshing for England that there is an eagerness in those on the fringes, such as Grayson, centre Mike Catt and scrumhalf Andy Gomarsall, who all play tomorrow, to assist the cause.

Prop Phil Vickery, making his second appearance as England captain tomorrow after an impressive leadership debut against Argentina in Buenos Aires last June, said: "We're on the back of a very difficult game in Melbourne (against Samoa) where a lot of people were disappointed. I don't think any of us have played our A-game yet."

URUGUAY: J Menchacha; J Pastore, D Aguirre (capt), J de Freitas, J Viana; S Aguirre, J Campomar; E Berruti, D Lamelas, P Lemoine, JC Bado, JM Alvarez, N Brignoni, N Grille, R Capo. Replacements: JA Perez, R Sanchez, G Storace, J Alzueta, M Gutierrez, E Caffera, D Reyes.

ENGLAND: J Lewsey; I Balshaw, S Abbott, M Catt, D Luger; P Grayson, A Gomarsall, T Woodman, D West, P Vickery (capt), M Corry, D Grewcock, J Worsley, L Moody, L Dallaglio. Replacements: S Thompson, J White, M Johnson, N Back, K Bracken, W Greenwood, B Cohen.