WORLD CUP: England implemented a 24-hour delay yesterday in naming their team to face Georgia on Sunday, the poker-faced official explanation being that Clive Woodward had changed his mind overnight.

The head coach, however, did not hesitate when it came to the day's other main topic for debate, insisting his side were now immune to insults from rival teams.

In a veiled response to the South Africa captain Corne Krige's description of Martin Johnson as "one of the dirtiest captains in world rugby", Woodward said he would expect his players to "take the high ground" and ignore the ritual jibes England attract throughout the sporting world.

"A few years ago it might have worried us but now we just smile about it," claimed Woodward. "It's not only Krige, it's a lot of coaches and players, whoever we play against. I would be very annoyed if any of the England players ever retaliated. You've just got to take the high ground.

"I don't think we cause this or get involved with this sledging but it's going to come for the weeks we are here, it's part of the baggage that we carry. It's up to me every now and then to fire a few barrages back and when I do everyone goes mad but we politely sit here and cop all this rubbish."

If Woodward really wants advice on the dark art of "sledging" he should step out of the England team hotel and consult with the Australian cricket team, staying a few hundred metres away before this week's Test against Zimbabwe at the Waca.

Woodward's main priority at present, however, is keeping his squad focused on the opening game. Some of England's players have had trouble adjusting to their new time zone and their training sessions so far have been relatively brief.

Meanwhile, veteran lock Olivier Brouzet has been ruled out of France's World Cup opener with Fiji in Brisbane on Saturday.

Brouzet has been carrying a shoulder injury and coach Bernard Laporte has decided not to take any chances.

- Guardian Service