Martin Johnson retained the England captaincy when manager Clive Woodward stayed true to his word as he named his 30man Six Nations Championship squad yesterday. "As I announced last week, Martin Johnson will continue as captain and he will train with the squad when we meet up on January 15th. I remain confident that he will lead the team out in Cardiff on February 3rd," said Woodward.

Second row Johnson is currently serving a 35-day Rugby Football Union ban, imposed after Saracens cited him for foul play during an English Cup quarter-final clash at Leicester on December 9th.

There is a call-up for 21-yearold Newcastle centre Jamie Noon following a string of impressive club performances this season. There is also a recall for Leicester wing/centre Leon Lloyd, who was capped during England's summer tour to South Africa last summer, but missed out on autumn Tests against the Springboks, Australia and Argentina.

Coach Ian McGeechan has drafted Jamie Mayer back into Scotland's training squad yesterday. The Bristol back returns after a series of injuries since he made his debut against South Africa two years ago.