Late arrivals Will and Jason can deliver the World Cup (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Late arrivals Will and Jason can deliver the World Cup

10:57am Friday 31st October 2003 in

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FATHER-TO-BE Will Greenwood and Jason Leonard, whose partner Sandra has just presented him with their third child, are hoping to celebrate by delivering the World Cup for England.

If Clive Woodward’s men are to land the trophy they are likely to rely heavily on the know-how and mental toughness of the two Harlequins heroes.

Both came through the emotional wringer unscathed this week. Leonard was relieved and overjoyed when his new daughter Francesca Belle weighed in at 8lbs on Monday, just as Greenwood was returning from a week back in England where wife Caro is suffering complications with her second pregnancy.

But veteran prop Leonard, 35, is rested for the last Pool C game against Uruguay in Brisbane on Sunday as Woodward makes 11 changes, and cultured centre Greenwood is named only as a replacement.

Yet it is unthinkable that one or both of the Harlequins duo will not figure prominently in the quarter-final against Wales. Good natured giant Greenwood has scored 28 tries in 43 Tests, while reluctant record-breaker Leonard set a new best for World Cup appearances in last Sunday’s lucky 35-22 win over Samoa.

Although that was his first start of the current tournament, he has now played in 18 games spread over four World Cups since running out against New Zealand at Twickenham in 1991. He won his 109th cap against Samoa and is only two away from equalling Frenchman Philippe Sella’s world record tally of 111.

England coach Andy Robinson said: “Jason was disappointed not to be picked earlier on, with Trevor Woodman in front of him. He is pretty fired up and has a tremendous attitude.

“Jason’s probably fitter than he was in his early days - he’s got great hands, good defence and fits in with the way we want to play the game.” Head coach Clive Woodward, happy to play Leonard throughout last Sunday’s heart-stopping match in which underdogs Samoa led 10-0, has also praised Greenwood’s “tremendous attitude and mental toughness” in being a tower of strength for both England and his wife Caro.

The couple’s first child, Freddie, died after being born prematurely last September. Caro was taken to hospital this month and then underwent surgery, with Greenwood flying home after playing in England’s first two World Cup games against Georgia and South Africa.

His wife is now out of intensive care and Greenwood flew in to join up with the squad at their base on the Gold Coast in Queensland on Monday.

Will said: “Caro’s hanging in there. She’s a tough cookie and I hope that in three or four weeks when we come back she’ll be able to return home. She’s had an operation, the results have been good and she’s now stable. The Chelsea and Westminster Hospital have been wonderful.

“When we lost Freddie last year, I found rugby a tremendous escape. I’ve been good mates with a lot of these guys for years since the England under-21 team in 1993 and, as last February showed, with the sad death of Harlequins and England scrum-half Nick Duncombe, we’ve been through a lot together.

“I keep in touch with Caro every day and knowing she is all right enables me to focus on the rugby and give everything mentally and physically.” The 31-year-old 6ft 4in centre added: “Our players are justifiably pleased to have won our first three games. They’re not elated with the last performance, but they came away with a bonus point from three tries.”While Greenwood was flying into Brisbane, Leicester flanker Martin Corry was heading in the other direction to attend the arrival of his first child. But Corry was due to fly back yesterday and has been picked against Uruguay on Sunday!

Leonard revealed that he also came near to going home. He said: “I was tempted to go back, and I discussed it at length with Sandra. The main problem was that, as Sandra had been late with the birth of our two boys, I might have gone home and missed this birth.” By the time Leonard does return he could have added a world record for international appearances to the honours accumulated in his distinguished playing career.

Yet his main concern is for England to ‘fine-tune’ some of the elements of their game. He reflected: “We’ve played some very good rugby and some not so good. But where we are now is where we wanted to be and we just need to fine-tune a few things.”