Yates back as squad woes grow

South Africa v England:Kevin Yates will enter the England record books when he returns to international rugby today, and he admitted: "I never gave up hope." The Canada-born Saracens prop lines up against South Africa at Vodacom Park just two weeks short of 10 years since he last represented his country.

Yates, 34, will break former Lions wing John Bentley's mark of nine years and 44 days between caps when he gains only a third England outing.

Yates has answered a late call to replace Gloucester's Nick Wood, who was to have made an England debut, but is now out of the tour after suffering a torn chest muscle during training.

Since he last wore England colours, Yates has experienced an eventful career. He received a six-month Rugby Football Union suspension in 1998 after being found guilty of biting London Scottish flanker Simon Fenn's ear during a domestic cup game.

Yates always protested his innocence, but after completing the remaining season of his contract at Bath, he journeyed to New Zealand to play Super 12 Rugby with Wellington Hurricanes before returning home and spending three seasons with Sale Sharks and another three at his current club, Saracens.

Yates' promotion to the starting line-up will see him pack down alongside hooker Mark Regan and tighthead Stuart Turner. Their combined age is 104. Yates said: "I always kept hoping and I always worked as hard as I could . . . I never gave up hope. it is nice to be the youngster in the frontrow for a change!"

Unlike the overwhelming majority of his team-mates today, Yates has played in Bloemfontein before, turning out for Wellington against the Cats in a Super 12 fixture six years ago.

But while Yates can celebrate a recall, England's plans for the game continue to be severely affected by injuries and illness.

With Wood sidelined, Bath's Matt Stevens has joined the squad as cover, while Saracens back Dan Scarbrough has also arrived in South Africa as cover behind the scrum. And matters could yet deteriorate further, with centre Andy Farrell and scrumhalf Peter Richards battling to overcome a stomach virus that has affected several England players, including Jonny Wilkinson this week.

England head coach Brian Ashton has so far only confirmed one change from his original selection - Yates for Wood - but it would be no surprise if Toby Flood replaces Farrell today and Andy Gomarsall takes over from Richards.

England travelled to South Africa with a severely-depleted squad after Ashton decided to leave behind players from European finalists Leicester, Wasps and Bath, but his plans were further hit by a stomach virus sweeping the camp. Ashton said: "It is not an ideal world, but this group of lads have worked as hard as any England group I can remember."

England have not won away from home since February last year, losing six successive Tests.

Ashton can call on the experience of Wilkinson, Regan and skipper Jason Robinson, but while the back division looks capable of holding its own, the England forwards can expect a torrid time and it would represent a considerable achievement if the tourists can avoid anything less than a 30-point defeat.