Johnson Confident of Full Strength Squad

England boss Martin Johnson has maintained his belief that he will have a fully squad to pick from when naming his starting 15 for their opening World Cup game against Argentina. The England squad will head out to New Zealand shortly, although second-row Simon Shaw will fly out later after being struck by illness. There had been injury concerns over captain Lewis Moody, number-eight Nick Easter, flanker Tom Wood, scrum-half Ben Youngs and winger Mark Cueto but Johnson is confident all will return to training upon their arrival in New Zealand, giving the England manager a full strength squad to pick from. Those planning to Bet on rugby world cup 2011 games will follow the recovery of these players.

Johnson revealed Wood, Easter and Cueto would be fine to train by the end of the week, rejecting reports the trio were major worries for the Argentina match on September 10th.

"We're pretty confident everyone will be fit to train. Tom Wood and Nick Easter, with their injuries in particular, and Mark Cueto should be fine by the end of the week.”

Moody and Youngs are both close to making returns to action following their respective knee injuries, the duo close to making the Ireland game last week before Johnson decided to play it safe and not risk them. Cueto was forced off the field in the victory against Ireland with a back injury, although scans have revealed no serious damage and the experienced wide man will be fine for the Argentine match in what will probably be his final chance at World Cup glory. Those following Will Greenwood tips  will know of his talent.

The injuries among the squad forced Johnson to play a number of players out of position in last week’s trip to Dublin. The England boss will have been delighted to have seen how his players adapted to the challenge, running out comfortable winners against a disappointing Ireland side, claiming the win 20-9.