Sport

Recalled Greening promises to behave

Phil Greening last night vowed to try and stay clear of rugby union's yellow peril after winning a shock England recall for the…

Wed Apr 04 2001 - 01:00

Phil Greening last night vowed to try and stay clear of rugby union's yellow peril after winning a shock England recall for the Six Nations showdown with France.

Wasps hooker Greening has leap-frogged both Dorian West and Mark Regan, despite missing record-breaking England victories over Wales, Italy and Scotland this year while he recovered from knee surgery.

More importantly, he has regained the confidence of England boss Clive Woodward, who publicly rebuked him two months ago following an indisciplined pre-Christmas display against South Africa.

Woodward warned Greening to get his act together, stating: "He gave away four penalties against South Africa - he needs to learn to be a bit more disciplined before he plays in the side again."

READ MORE

Since then, Greening has made only four comeback appearances in Wasps colours - twice as a second half substitute - but he has still collected two yellow cards.

Woodward though, has no doubt that the 25-year-old will be aware of his responsibilities when he resumes an impressive 22-cap Test career next Saturday at Twickenham.

"We've obviously spoken to Phil and we believe he is fully aware of the situation. He knows what is at stake," said Woodward, who has also selected uncapped Bath lock Steve Borthwick and Saracens prop Julian White as respective replacements for injured pair Danny Grewcock and Phil Vickery.

"I am working hard on it, and hopefully I will keep a clean sheet on Saturday," said Greening.

"It is a big surprise to me to be back, given how well the other two hookers have been playing, but it is also a great opportunity."

ENGLAND: I Balshaw (Bath); A Healey (Leicester), W Greenwood (Harlequins), M Catt (Bath), B Cohen (Northampton); J Wilkinson (Newcastle), M Dawson (Northampton); J Leonard (Harlequins), P Greening (Wasps), J White (Saracens), M Johnson (Leicester, capt), S Borthwick (Bath), R Hill (Saracens), N Back (Leicester), L Dallaglio (Wasps). Replacements: D West (Leicester), T Woodman (Gloucester), J Worsley (Wasps), M Corry (Leicester), K Bracken (Saracens), M Perry (Bath), J Robinson (Sale).