England have axed big-tackling centre Mike Tindall from the semifinal line-up to play France in Sydney on Sunday, drafting in Mike Catt for his first start in two years.
Josh Lewsey is back after a hamstring strain and Richard Hill makes his first start since a similar problem against Georgia in the World Cup opening game.
Dan Luger disappears altogether after his stinker against Wales, Lewis Moody drops to the bench for Hill and Trevor Woodman starts ahead of Jason Leonard, who will win a world-record 112th cap if he comes off the bench on Sunday.
Woodward said: ”It’s no slight on Mike Tindall at all. We had all 30 players available for the first time.
”To see Balshaw, Tindall and Bracken on the bench is fantastic.
”This our strongest team so far. We’re very excited about Sunday night.
”Austin Healey [flown out on Monday in case Lewsey or Balshaw failed fitness tests] is somewhere over Bangkok now. I’d like to thank him for coming. He’ll be able to play for Leicester against Sale on Saturday.
”Catt starts, but I’ve got no doubt at all Tindall will play a part. All 30 players have conducted themselves brilliantly during the campaign.
”I always told Cattie his only chance of making the squad was if he took a break. He did and he’s here and he’s preparing for the biggest game of his career so far.
”To see Hill, Dallaglio and Back come up against the French loose trio will be a hell of a clash. I know who my money’s on.”
Hopefully Catt, like Woodward, will have forgotten the Jonah Lomu-dominated semifinal defeat against New Zealand in 1995.
Woodward continued: ”This game is not about me. It’s about giving this team the opportunity to do something special. I’m extremely lucky we’ve got an outstanding team and an outstanding captain in Martin Johnson.
”My job is to make the right calls during the game. It’s a brutal world we live in. It’s all about winning. We haven’t been playing well but we’ve been winning.
”It’s important we keep it in perspective. France have got a little bit more form than us, but come Sunday night, it’s 15 against 15.”
Woodward, asked for a verdict on the other semifinal, joked: ”Who’s playing?” then added ”I’ve said all along Australia would be the team to beat at home.”