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Woodward and his red rose hierarchy are far closer to their players than the county and divisional officials of old and, therefore, owe them a fair throw of the dice.Bernard Laporte, the French national coach, identified his World Cup squad some weeks ago, thereby sparing himself the agonies awaiting Woodward over the next 24 hours. The problem comes when someone is told he is playing for his place when, in reality, he has already been rejected. This used to happen with depressing frequency before major representative fixtures, when highly significant decisions were made by amateur selection committees. Most professional rugby men can handle rejection, provided they have been treated on the level. But there is no point talking all day about a decision that has been taken.”Woodward prides himself on the “brutal honesty” of his regime, and if he has been as up-front with his players as he claims, there will be no comebacks. Such calls can be very short or very long, depending on the reaction. “When I first gathered this squad together, I made it very clear how things were going to operate,” the coach added.

“If people felt they couldn’t cope, they should have left there and then. I’ll try to do it face to face, but the players will be dispersing after the game and if I have to contact them by phone, I will. “I’m sure the senior coaches will find a quiet corner somewhere and talk it through over a beer, but it won’t take long,” Woodward said After which, he will start breaking the bad news. Mike Catt, the Bath midfielder who was called in for fitness and conditioning tests on Thursday following the withdrawal of the Wasps outside-half Alex King, did all the right things and is now an official candidate for next month’s tournament in Australia. His presence places a whole heap of added pressure on Abbott, who wins his second cap at inside centre today, and also on Austin Healey, who will play no part in this final warm-up international and, therefore, cannot sway Woodward with a late eruption of individual virtuosity.There will be a selection meeting of sorts tonight. There again, they may have been promoted to “definite” status without their noticing. They will know one way or the other tomorrow morning.
This much is certain.

So the cat – not to mention the Catt – is out of the bag. Clive Woodward, the England coach, admitted yesterday that he was as certain as certain could be of the precise nature of his 30-man World Cup squad, a statement that may have left the few remaining “possibles” in the equation – the Iain Balshaws, the Stuart Abbotts, the Martin Corrys – wondering exactly what they are playing for when they square up to France at Twickenham this evening. To have been received so warmly by the club so early in the professional era is something I will never forget,” said Lyle, who made over 100 appearances for Bath.”I have made lifelong friends at the club while the supporters and the community have always been behind me from day one – and for that I would like to thank them.”I am very excited about the next chapter in my rugby career which includes the World Cup in Australia and my primary focus now will be on the USA national team as we enter our final preparations over the next few weeks.”Lyle, who made his international debut against Ireland in 1994 and won captaincy of the Eagles during their 1996 tour to Wales, has yet to announce his post World-Cup plans – prompting speculation that his club career may be over.. Mrs Corry’s next phone call from her husband will be informative indeed.. Bath have parted company with Dan Lyle after the former USA Eagles skipper agreed to an early release from his contract. I don’t let anyone know what I’m thinking when it comes to World Cup selection, with the single exception of my wife. She’s had to bear the brunt of it while we’ve been in camp.”Come tomorrow lunchtime, the choices will have been made.