By Ben Baker, Sportsbeat, 0870 445 0156
England legend Will Greenwood has backed Sale prop Andrew Sheridan to be England’s explosive World Cup weapon – despite yet another injury-ravaged season.
Sheridan almost single-handedly destroyed the Australian pack as England
took down the old enemy in the World Cup quarter-final in 2007.
However since the British and Irish Lions tour in 2009 Sheridan has seen his
international appearances limited to just six due to shoulder and back
injuries.
At 31 question marks have been raised over the Sale front-row’s longevity
with Wasps Tim Payne and young pretender Alex Corbisiero both threatening
his spot.
But despite his increasingly creaky body Greenwood is adamant Sheridan has a
potentially match-winning part to play in New Zealand this autumn.
“Even if you only took Andrew just for the one game in the World Cup, he is
that important and that influential that he definitely warrants a spot in
the squad I think,” said Greenwood, who is an ambassador for the J.P. Morgan
Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s Series 2011.
“He might not start every game nowadays but you sit up and take notice when
he is on the pitch because of the impact he can make.
“He has had his injury problems for the last few years but I think the worst
is behind him now and fingers crossed they are because he obviously offers
great experience as long with the physical presence.
“Martin Johnson will be delighted to have him available because he is a
presence and can still offer so much to the cause.”
Greenwood knows all about the skills needed to lift the famous William Webb
Ellis Cup having been the tournaments joint top try scorer in England’s
successful 2003 campaign Down Under.
Johnson’s troops will have their work cut out to repeat those heroics just
over the Tasman Sea from the scene of that triumph in New Zealand this
autumn.
Their World Cup campaign kicks off in Dunedin on September 10 against
Argentina and Greenwood believes if England are to have a chance Sheridan
will be a key man.
“You saw when we beat Australia at the World Cup a few years ago just what a
difference he can make up front which can be absolutely crucial,” added
Greenwood.
“He has immense power and the strength of the man is second to none really,
scary sometimes.”
Tickets for every round of the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Premiership
Rugby 7s Series are available through the Ticketmaster wesbite: www.ticketmaster.co.uk or by calling 0844
847 2492
