Greenwood up against bull-necked favourite

Will Greenwood has the unenviable task of shackling Welsh powerhouse centre Scott Gibbs on Saturday in a contest that looks decidedly uneven when the players stand back-to-back.

Gibbs is the bull-necked 5ft 9in, 15st 8lb Swansea favourite, while Greenwood is 6ft 3in and 15st soaking wet in his Harlequins kit. Greenwood's lanky physique has always shaped perceptions about his rugby prowess and attracted nicknames like Shaggy (from the Scooby Doo cartoon) and Cheese-wire (because he is so thin).

England selectors have always weighed up the attacking guile he brings to the squad against his long frame that does not appear suited to the big-hitting defensive work that is so much part of the modern game.

Team manager Clive Woodward admitted as much when naming Greenwood for this opening Six Nations clash in Cardiff.

He said: "Will is playing well enough to warrant selection.

"I was concerned about his defence over the last three or four months, but he has totally dispelled the worries that I shared with Phil Larder, our defensive coach."

Greenwood has heard it all before and, after switching from Leicester to Quins in the summer, was aware of the tough road he would face to regain the England centre position he covets.

His outstanding form for Quins, who have reached the Tetley's Bitter Cup Final and European Shield semi-finals despite struggling in the league, saw him drafted into the team against South Africa in December. A superb solo try proved he was on the top of his game.

Greenwood said: "Unless you are Mike Gibson, the perfect centre, which I am certainly not, people will always have a view on what they see as your strengths and weaknesses. All I can do is take on board what is being said about my game and go back to Quins to work on those areas.

"Scott Gibbs is a very dangerous player and he will be up for this game.

"I had a long chat with Phil Larder about defence and it's a physical as well an organisational thing. You have to front up."