New caps are not a worry

England rugby union coach Clive Woodward defended his decision to blood two players, Steve Hanley and Barrie-Jon Mather, in tomorrow's Five Nations Grand Slam decider against Wales at Wembley.

"If I thought there was a better player not picked I would be questioning myself. I am totally confident and relaxed that I have picked the right two players," Woodward said.

"I am not a big fan of this experience thing, if you are the best player at the time you have to be given the chance."

Woodward admitted mistakes may have been made in England's disastrous southern hemisphere tour last year with a squad largely comprised of untried players who were comprehensively beaten in all their matches, including a record 76-0 by Australia,

"What we tried to do in Australia last year was arguably wrong but when you are playing with an experienced team, a great pack of forwards and an experienced halfback, I think you can put one or two new players in."

Mather comes in at centre after Jeremy Guscott was ruled out with a hamstring strain while Hanley, who can run 100 metres in 11 seconds, replaces Sale club mate David Rees on the wing.

Woodward added: "If we had two first cappers playing at flyhalf and inside centre you would seriously question the validity of the selection but we have experience in those positions.

"The new caps haven't got to make decisions. They have just got to play like they do week in week out for their club."

Wales and England have played each other 104 times since their first match at Blackheath in London in 1881. England have won 44, Wales 48 and 12 games have been drawn.