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Rugby Union

England down to bare bones after latest withdrawals

30/05/2007

England's already decimated South African tour squad has been further hit by the withdrawal of four players due to illness and injury.

Andy Farrell, James Simpson-Daniel and Mike Brown have all pulled out of this weekend's Test in Pretoria from the same stomach virus that has already denied coach Brian Ashton the services of David Strettle.

The players will be joined on the sidelines by Andy Hazell, who has been ruled out due to a knee problem.

Ashton has been unable to call upon players from Leicester, Bath and Bristol due to club commitments, leading to him presiding over a record 58-10 defeat to the hosts in Bloemfontein.

With skipper Jason Robinson rated as doubtful with fluid on the knee, Ashton has delayed naming his starting line-up until Friday lunchtime.

Uncapped Bath full-back Nick Abendanon is flying out from the UK tonight to plug the gaps in the England squad.

The South African-born player said: "It's disappointing that so many of the guys have been injured or ill but I was over the moon when I heard - I was pretty shocked but obviously very pleased.

"All my family live in Johannesburg so it will be great to have some support in Pretoria and I just hope I will be involved in some way."

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