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LONDON - Phil Vickery has taken over from Martin Corry as captain to lead world champions England in this year's rugby World Cup.
The London Wasps prop headed a 33-man senior squad named by new coach Brian Ashton that included fellow World Cup winners Jason Robinson, who announced his retirement from international rugby 15 months ago, and injury-prone Jonny Wilkinson.
Wilkinson has not played for his country since drop-kicking the winning goal in the 2003 World Cup final against Australia in Sydney.
Bristol's New Zealand-born No 8 Dan Ward-Smith was one of four new caps, along with former rugby league player Andy Farrell, London Irish first five-eigth Shane Geraghty and Wasps flanker Tom Rees.
Ashton took over as coach from Andy Robinson, who lost his job last year after England lost eight out of nine games.
"Phil is a player of massive experience who has been at the top of the world and he has a great desire to lead England back there again," said Ashton in a statement on the RFU website (www.rfu.com).
"He showed in the autumn that he is back playing international rugby well and both as a player and a captain he is the right man to take England forward."
Ashton thanked Corry for his contribution after 14 tests as captain, assuring him that he remained a vital member of the senior elite player squad.
"We will be looking to him for support and advice in what will be a very challenging year ahead," he said.
Vickery, who captained England to victory against Argentina in Buenos Aires in 2002, said he felt privileged to follow Corry.
"But I don't just want the title," he added.
"I want to be part of a successful team and I am looking forward to working with everyone to create that.
"I am under no illusions about the challenge we all face but it's also an extremely exciting time. This is a huge opportunity for people to stick their hands up and stake their claim."
Robinson had retired in 2005 but Ashton said the Sale player's experience was telling:
"Jason is another who has won a World Cup and knows what it takes to be at the top of the world game in professional sport," he said.
"Apart from being a fantastic rugby player he has outstanding values as a person which will be important to the England team in the coming year."
There was no room in the squad for former captain Lawrence Dallaglio, the Wasps back rower who had hoped for a recall.
England squad:
Backs - Iain Balshaw, Mike Catt, Mark Cueto, Harry Ellis, Andy Farrell, Toby Flood, Shane Geraghty, Josh Lewsey, Jamie Noon, Shaun Perry, Jason Robinson, Peter Richards, Paul Sackey, Mathew Tait, Mike Tindall, Jonny Wilkinson.
Forwards - Alex Brown, George Chuter, Martin Corry, Louis Deacon, Perry Freshwater, Danny Grewcock, Magnus Lund, Lee Mears, Lewis Moody, Tim Payne, Tom Palmer, Tom Rees, Steve Thompson, Phil Vickery (captain), Dan Ward-Smith, Julian White, Joe Worsley.
- REUTERS
