But all the momentum seems to be with Wiggins, the first genuine British contender for overall victory since Tom Simpson in the 1960s.

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With Ashton viewing him as a wing rather than full-back, Lewsey loses out to Vainikolo, Strettle, Mark Cueto and Paul Sackey in the 32, with Simpson-Daniel and Tom Varndell - both in the Saxons squad - also pushing hard.

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Scott Simpson won at -3 in 1987, beating Tom Watson by one shot.

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Monye, 25, promoted from the second-string England Saxons side after injuries to Simpson-Daniel and Strettle, and the demotion of Leicester's Tom Varndell, has scored five tries in seven matches this season.

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Simpson was to have been interviewed on NBC's "Dateline" by anchors Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric with no restrictions on the questions they would ask.

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