CLIVE Woodward last night predicted a "huge challenge" for England when they launch the defence of their Six Nations Championship crown against Wales next month.

England boss Woodward will go into the tournament with a 30-man squad that contains just three uncapped players - Newcastle centre Jamie Noon, Bath lock Steve Borthwick and Sale flanker Alex Sanderson.

The 22 on Twickenham duty against South Africa last month are retained en bloc as Woodward has once again emphasised the importance of selection stability.

Mike Catt, injured for the Springboks Test, is back while Noon, Borthwick, Sanderson, Leon Lloyd, Josh Lewsey, Simon Shaw and Joe Worsley are added.

Goole-born Noon is rewarded for consistency in club colours this season.

Noon's Newcastle midfield colleague Tom May had been tipped for a call-up, especially because he scored two tries in front of Woodward when the Falcons beat Tetley's Bitter Cup semi-final opponents Sale last Saturday.

But Noon has got the nod and Woodward said: ''Jamie has progressed quickly from playing for England Under-21s last year.

''All the England coaching staff have been impressed with his progress at club level and during the development player training sessions we held with the main squad in the autumn.

''I am also pleased to welcome back Leon, whose recent club form has been impressive.

''Leon is a player who has gained considerable experience in a short time through his involvement in the tour to South Africa last summer and I am sure that he will once again prove to be an asset to the squad.''

Noon, 21, is promoted from the England development squad. But other potential candidates like former Great Britain rugby league wing Jason Robinson and young fly-half Charlie Hodgson, both of Sale, have failed to make it.

The Northumbria University student will not be risked against Newcastle's European Shield rivals Treviso on Sunday, resting an ankle injury instead and he cannot wait to take his place among England's elite players.

Noon said: ''My ultimate goal is to play for England. This is a step up the ladder, a huge boost for me.

''I've been working pretty hard this season but felt that I have struggled a bit in comparison to last year.

''The coaches are happy, though, and I want to learn as much as I can from the other England players.''

Woodward keeps the same captain, suspended Leicester lock Martin Johnson, whose five-week Rugby Football Union ban does not expire until a day before the Millennium Stadium showdown.

Johnson, punished after Saracens cited him for foul play during a Tetley's Bitter Cup quarter-final, will train with the England squad next Monday and Woodward said: "I remain confident that he will lead the team out in Cardiff."

But that session will not be a joint affair with French coach Bernard Laporte and his players, as provisionally planned.

"Logistics proved to be the main reason for France and for us and at this stage of our preparation it has not been feasible,'' said Woodward.

A bigger concern for the England coaching staff are injuries to three key players - scrum-half Matt Dawson, hooker Phil Greening and lock Danny Grewcock.

Dawson, who led England to the Six Nations title last term, is nursing a shoulder injury sustained during Northampton's Premiership defeat against Bath last Saturday.

Scans have revealed no long-term damage, though, and he is confident of being available for selection when Woodward announces the starting line-up on January 30.

Greening is recovering from knee surgery and has not played since the Springboks Test almost six weeks ago, but Woodward possesses a capable deputy in Bath hooker Mark Regan. The experienced Regan was unlucky to lose his place after an impressive display when England beat Argentina a week before tackling South Africa and he has subsequently maintained impressive club form.

The addition of Gloucester scrum-half Andy Gomarsall and Leicester hooker Dorian West to Woodward's squad for training next week provides extra cover.

Grewcock, arguably England's outstanding forward during the autumn Tests, suffered a broken toe just before Christmas which has sidelined him since then. His chances of a comeback for Saracens in the Heineken Cup on Sunday are remote.