Sport

Catt hails Abendanon

12 April 2012

England head into their penultimate World Cup warm-up game against France on Saturday with captain Mike Catt hailing the "X factor" qualities of rookie Bath full-back Nick Abendanon.

Abendanon made his Test debut after flying out to join an illness-ravaged England squad in South Africa earlier this summer.

"Nick is mega-talented He is very quiet but he has worked exceptionally hard, especially on his kicking," said Catt. "He has got that X factor about him. His feet are pretty special, and I think if we give the ball in space to him then, one on one, he is a Jason Robinson-type of guy."

Abendanon is among 11 changes to the England side that blitzed Wales in record-breaking fashion last Saturday, with only scrum-half Shaun Perry, prop Andrew Sheridan, hooker Mark Regan and lock Simon Shaw remaining after that 62-5 romp.

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