Wood in as England change three for Wales

Northampton flanker Tom Wood was handed a debut as England manager Martin Johnson made three changes yesterday to his line-up for the opening Six Nations clash with Wales.

Wood, 24, comes into a new-look back row in place of injured blindside Tom Croft for tomorrow’s clash at the Millennium Stadium, while Stade Francais flanker James Haskell will replace injured captain Lewis Moody at openside.

Louis Deacon replaces injured lock Courtney Lawes to partner Stade Francais’s Tom Palmer in the second row while veteran Mike Tindall will captain England in the absence of Moody.

Johnson said he had been impressed by Wood’s temperament since he joined the senior squad and backed the 6ft 5in debutant to cope with the intimidating atmosphere of an away match in Cardiff.

“It’s a chance for Tom to come and play. Would he have got there with all the guys fit? He probably wouldn’t, but he’s worth a look and worth his place – he was very im-pressive in the autumn when he came in and the way he’s playing with his club, he’s a pretty impressive player,” Johnson said.

“It’s not great to have guys injured but great to get Tom on the field in a big-time match. He’s 24 so he’s not in his first year of it, he’s got a bit of experience. We’ve got no qualms about putting him in.”

Johnson, meanwhile, said new captain Tindall was one of several players in the side England were relying on to provide on-field leadership.

“Mike’s a good captain, very experienced, but if he’s not there we’ve got Nick (Easter), Louis Deacon who’s had a good week as well... it’s good to have him back and in fine form,” Johnson said.

England have not won in Cardiff for eight years, when Clive Woodward’s team went on to win the 2003 Grand Slam before lifting the World Cup the same year.

Bookmakers have installed England as favourites for this year’s title after showing steady signs of improvement throughout 2010, which included home-and-away victories over Australia.