ENGLAND manager Clive Woodward will have eyed this season's Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship fixtures with a wry smile.

With England's campaign set to finish against Italy on Sunday, April 7, the former Easingwold School pupil will know his side are unlikely to mess up his Grand Slam dreams this time.

Lightning has already struck Woodward three times in three seasons - with first Wales, then Scotland and more latterly Ireland snatching the holy grail from his grasp.

For whatever reason, England have frozen when it matters the most, but surely if Woodward can first mastermind victories over Scotland, Ireland, France and Wales, then the wheels won't come off at the Stadio Flaminio, Rome.

But Woodward will not be giving that day in April too much thought just yet as he tries to prepare his title favourites for their tournament opener against Scotland at Murrayfield - the scene of their 2000 disaster.

England, arguably the most dominant force in the Northern Hemisphere over the past decade, have earned their favourite tags courtesy of victories over Australia and South Africa and a record points score over Romania.

But this has not stopped Woodward making changes for the Scotland game - the major two seeing Steve Thompson, the Northampton hooker, handed his debut and Nick Duncombe, Harlequins' young scrum-half, a shock inclusion on the bench.

But it is the old heads of Jonny Wilkinson - albeit on a young body - Martin Johnson, Neil Back and Richard Hill who will be vital, while the talents of Jason Robinson, Ben Kay and Austin Healey should not be under-estimated.

Scotland, under the guidance of three times Lions coach Ian McGeechan, should never be written off, despite the loss on the influential John Leslie though injury.

New Zealand-born Leslie - a key figure in the Scots 1999 Five Nations triumph and the 2000 victory over England - has been ruled out with a calf injury.

But there is still plenty of potency in the side - Gregor Townsend is still a menace to defences when he is in the mood, while the name Duncan Hodge is one Englishman will not forget.

The forwards will also take some handling, with Tom Smith, Scott Murray, Mattie Stewart and Budge Pountney certain to be to the fore.

Ireland could yet again be the side to watch, having produced some of their best rugby for years.

However, with Warren Gatland departing from the coaching role to be replaced by Eddie O'Sullivan, it will be interesting to see how the Irish come out.

With former Great Britain RL ace Mike Ford turning his back on Oldham RL and the 13-a-side code, the defence should be a lot tighter, while Brian O'Driscoll truly made his mark on the game while touring with the Lions.

But the loss of their talisman Keith Wood will be a cruel blow to their hopes.

Ireland will open their campaign against Wales - with the Dragons once again making the right noises, but will they breathe fire when it comes to the big occasion?

Scott Quinnell and Rob Howley are the two players you would expect to rise to the challenge, while Stephen Jones is quickly fulfilling the boots of the prolific Stephen Jones.

All eyes will also be on the centres where another rugby league convert will take his place - but whether Iestyn Harris can perform consistently on the international stage is still up for debate.

Across the Channel, the under-performing French are desperate to recapture the glory days of Sergo Blanco, Philippe Sella and Phillippe Saint-Andre.

Olivier Magne has been handed the task of captaining French, who have for years managed to combine the magic of Gallic flair with the rough and tumble of deepest France.

But the loss of Thomas Castaignede, Fabien Galthi and Stephane Glas through injuries will be hard to cover.

And so to Italy, and when it comes to the newest members of the Championships, there is only one player who can win or lose the games.

The diminutive Diego Dominguez - the great loss of the Argentinean game - has been the cornerstone of the Azzurri's game for longer than many can remember, but despite advancing years and rumours of impending retirement, he continues to prove his worth.

But whether one last fling for the fly-half can end in tears for England - Woodward can hope not.

Updated: 12:02 Friday, February 01, 2002