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Rugby Union

England squad hit by virus

24/05/2007

England's preparations for Saturday's first Test against South Africa have been hit by a virus sweeping through the squad.

The touring party are currently staying in their temporary base of St John's College, Johannesburg, ahead of this weekend's first match against the Springboks in Bloemfontein.

But head coach Brian Ashton has had his plans interrupted by what has been referred to by England doctor Simon Kemp as a 'norovirus', causing gastric pain over a 48-hour period.

So far it has prevented fly-half Jonny Wilkinson from training over the last couple of days and both James Simpson-Daniel and David Strettle were forced to miss yesterday's session.

"The symptoms have affected a small number of the England squad to date," Dr Kemp said.

However, he did add: "One of the positive features about this sort of viral infection is that it typically develops and settles relatively quickly."

After Saturday's first Test match against South Africa, England play one further fixture against the Springboks in Pretoria – another town in the heartland of South African rugby – the following Saturday (June 2nd).

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