Balshaw scored 13 tries for Bath in 1999

Stimpson has rarely under-performed in his 16 caps in an England jersey.

That said, he has also rarely shown the electrifying form that Woodward is so keen to nurture.

Balshaw, in contrast, was often described as England's answer to Christian Cullen.

But over the last 18 months he has endured more highs and lows than many players experience in a lifetime.

After two hugely successful seasons with Bath, Balshaw seemed to have it all.

Using his slender but athletic frame, he quickly secured a regular place in the Bath side where he literally hit the ground running to notch up 13 tries in his first full season.

Understandably, Woodward was keen to develop his potential.

Steep rise

In February 2000, Balshaw made his first international appearance - as a second-half substitute during the 50-18 Six Nations romp against Ireland.

Despite replacing Matt Perry with only 10 minutes left, he repaid Woodward's faith by showing the fans exactly what he could offer - pace and lots of it.

Not since the days of Jeremy Guscott were the white-shirted England faithful so excited about one of their own.

Indeed, if ever there were any doubts about Balshaw he banished them completely at Twickenham in November.

At 19-15 down against world champions Australia, English hopes were ebbing away. It was time for Woodward to throw on his last remaining hope.

And how it worked. Balshaw's deft chip allowed Dan Luger to dive over in the dying seconds. Jonny Wilkinson converted and the Bath flyer had written his name into English rugby history.

Balshaw created havoc against Wales in Cardiff

England had found a new hero and he was here to stay - or so they thought.

As Balshaw's confidence increased, opponents became fearful of England's most potent asset - and rightly so.

With Wilkinson at fly-half, Balshaw found himself cutting through defences with ease - as Wales found to their cost in Cardiff.

The first game of the 2001 Six Nations confirmed Balshaw's status as the latest rugby union superstar.

Fans forgave him a few dropped passes as England cruised to a comfortable 44-15 victory that looked no more than a training session for Woodward's fast-improving side.

Two weeks later the inevitable occurred as Balshaw bagged his first international tries in an 80-23 victory over Italy.

Again, his timing was impeccable. With the preliminary Lions squad due to be announced he had easily sealed his place.

Lion in the making

More tries followed as England saw off visitors Scotland 43-3 and in April Balshaw continued his rich vein of Test form by scoring again - his fifth of the Six Nations campaign - during England's record 48-19 thumping of France.

Even Australia began to voice their concerns, particularly when he grabbed a double in the Lions' record 116-10 victory over Western Australia.

The England superstar failed to make the grade in Australia with the Lions

It was then, however, that Balshaw's apparent 'stagefright' took hold.

In a bruising encounter against Queensland Reds he failed to shine, prompting what amounted to a make-or-break 'trial' against a NSW Country XV.

Again England's bright young hope looked frighteningly out of place.

With the Test series always likely to be delicately poised, coach Graham Henry understandably opted for safety at the back and gave Bath team-mate Perry the chance to secure the number 15 jersey.

And when the Lions ran out 29-13 winners with a performance that most northern hemisphere fans could only dream of, Balshaw's hopes of grabbing a starting place were over.

It was a dramatic turnaround for the 22-year-old, but few doubted that he would return to his former glories.

England return

The new domestic season offered hope, but again Balshaw started poorly, missing Bath's opening Premiership games and looking ill at ease on his return.

As fans began to turn their backs, one man retained his faith - Woodward.

Asked about Balshaw's poor form, the England coach was bullish.

"It's all about confidence with Iain - but once he's back with us he'll prove he's got what it takes," he said.

Despite the continued fine form of Perry, there were few genuine surprises when Balshaw was named in the England squad to face Ireland in Dublin.

It was a make-or-break encounter. Victory would hand England their first Grand Slam since 1995 - the first under Woodward.

Nightmare gamble

History will forever recall that the experiment badly backfired, however.

Ireland claimed a well-deserved victory and Balshaw - for much of the game - endured a nightmare.

Just 11 days later, the young Lancastrian lost his one and only believer.

Woodward wielded the axe and the young Lion who looked so destined to create his own rugby history was ignominiously dumped from the England squad.

He has since failed to bounce back and Woodward's recent claim that "he's got to get himself sorted" does not bode well for a man once hailed as the future of the English game.