Victor Ubogu's World Cup dream was dramatically resurrected by England coach Clive Woodward yesterday, leaving the veteran Bath prop "surprised and completely shocked".

Ubogu, 35 next week, thought his chance had gone when Woodward overlooked him for both August World Cup warm-up Tests against the USA and Canada.

But Ubogu's priceless ability to pack down on either side of the scrum proved an irresistible asset in Woodward's World Cup thinking, and a place among the elite 30-man England squad was secured.

Ubogu is among 10 survivors from England's unsuccessful 1995 World Cup campaign, a group for this autumn's global spectacular that includes just one uncapped player, 22-year-old Wasps flanker Joe Worsley.

Yet, while Ubogu celebrated an unlikely recall, there was World Cup heartbreak for his Bath team-mate Ben Clarke, and Leicester full back Tim Stimpson, together with young props Will Green and Trevor Woodman.

Woodward announced the squad yesterday following more than three months of intensive work.

As expected, there are few surprises with Woodward adopting a horses-for-courses selection policy, packing his squad with tried and tested international performers.

Scrum-half Kyran Bracken is being given further time to prove his recovery from a back complaint, and Woodward hopes to see him in action when England tackle a Premiership All Stars team at Twickenham on September 18th.

Woodward played down the collective amazement surrounding Ubogu's recall. "Victor is in a good position of covering both sides of the scrum, and that is what's got him the nod on selection," he said. The coach described as "a tough call" the choice between experienced 31-year-old Clarke and Wasps youngster Worsley.

"I have spoken to Ben at length on the telephone, and he is obviously very disappointed.

"Worsley is a very talented player in all three back-row positions, and he is in there on merit. But it was a hard decision and a tough call."

Bristol lock Garath Archer, like Bracken, is another player yet to totally prove his fitness following a disrupted summer. But he will provide second-row back-up to World Cup captain Martin Johnson, Tim Rodber and Danny Grewcock.

As expected, Lawrence Dallaglio is among the five back-row selections, his massive World Cup worth to England confirmed by monumental displays during the recent victories over America and Canada.

Dallaglio, his World Cup presence last week guaranteed when he avoided suspension from Twickenham after admitting a disrepute charge, is one of England's most vital components.

Ubogu apart, the other 1995 survivors are Bracken, Bath midfield trio Mike Catt, Phil de Glanville and Jeremy Guscott, props Jason Leonard and Graham Rowntree, Johnson, Rodber, and flanker Neil Back.

Wasps scrum-half Martyn Wood will continue to train with England over the next few weeks and will step in for Bracken if the Saracens star has to admit defeat.

Chalmers in International Wilderness

Meanwhile, Scotland officials moved quickly yesterday to deny Craig Chalmers's international career is over - but for many that will be the only conclusion to be drawn from his omission from the World Cup squad.

Coach Jim Telfer stuck roughly to his expected 30-man party when he announced his squad, which meant no place for Scotland's most capped out-half.

Having decided to name three specialist scrum-halves, but only two hookers, the selectors' only major surprise was the introduction of 21year-old Chris Paterson as second-choice full back.

Paterson, who turned professional only a month ago, was part of the Scotland squad which toured South Africa during the summer but had been axed from the original 33-man squad Telfer named before the recent internationals against Argentina and Romania.

However, he did enough during the summer to win the vote over Derrick Lee, who did not impress for Scotland A in the scrappy draw with the Pumas in Perth.

Lee, former Leicester man Craig Joiner, lock Andy Lucking and back-row Ross Beattie were, along with Chalmers, the men given the chop by Telfer and his selection panel.

The squad which secured the Five Nations championship last spring remains almost entirely intact, with Bath number eight Eric Peters ruled out of the tournament with a broken kneecap.