Randell: Best of England still to come

England head into their opening Rugby World Cup warm-up clash with Wales in Cardiff tomorrow as the No1 team in the world, despite the recent resurgence of New Zealand.

That's the verdict of Taine Randell, the former All Blacks captain, who arrives in London this weekend to start a new life as Saracens No8. While many of his countrymen claim England peaked against New Zealand and Australia on their summer tour, Randell insists their best could still be to come.

Randell said: "There is no doubt that England are the No1 team in the world. While the All Blacks have shown in recent weeks - winning the Tri-Nations - that they have massive potential, it is the England team that has produced the big results against the southern hemisphere sides.

"The All Blacks are building towards the World Cup but they know that England beat them in Wellington and will be serious contenders for the Cup in Australia."

Randell, 28, also dismisses the notion that England's pack is over the hill. The fact that one of New Zealand's top forwards feels this way is an indication of the nature of the game in that country.

Over the next few weeks, England can turn their Cup challenge into an even more potent one by identifying the six or seven players needed to fill the vacancies in the 30-strong squad that is named on 8 September.

Around 55,000 fans will be at the Millennium Stadium tomorrow. The match is followed by Tests with France in Marseille (30 August) and Twickenham (6 September) to complete the build-up.

For Jason Leonard, captaining England-for the second time, his 104th cap is just as important as the first, 13 years ago against Argentina in Buenos Aires. Leonard has to inspire his men to produce the sort of performances that will secure World Cup places.

While Leonard is not guaranteed a place in the final party, it would be a major shock if he is denied a fourth World Cup tournament. He said: "My style of captaincy is to lead by example and this is a team of great experience and outstanding young talent.

"We have a double target, a win over Wales in Cardiff and to try and secure places in the Cup squad. I am just one player trying to make the Cup but it will be the team performance that is going to count."

Leonard admits the difference between preparations for this Cup challenge and his first in 1991 are "like chalk and cheese".

He added: "In 1991 it was a case of turning up for training on the day and getting on with it. Now, everything is planned and prepared. This is the bestprepared squad I have ever been involved with."

The match is crucial for Wasps centre Stuart Abbott and midfield partner Jamie Noon, of Newcastle, vying for the one available position to back-up Will Greenwood and Mike Tindall.

Wings Dan Luger and James Simpson-Daniel plus full-back Dan Scarbrough are among a group of seven players chasing just five places in the final squad for wings and full-backs.

In effect, they are all taking part in a very public World Cup trial.

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