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Rugby Union

Hipkiss and Sackey ruled out of England tour

02/06/2008

Leicester Tigers centre Dan Hipkiss and Wasps wing Paul Sackey are the latest injury casualties ahead of England's two-Test summer tour of New Zealand.

Hipkiss has been ruled out due to a fractured cheekbone he suffered in Saturday's Guinness Premiership final and will be replaced by Sackey's Wasps team-mate Dominic Waldouck, who was due to tour North America with the England Saxons.

Sackey has also been withdrawn from the senior England squad to begin his rehabilitation from a right knee injury he sustained at the end of the season.

He will be replaced by Hipkiss' Tigers team-mate Tom Varndell, who, as top try-scorer in the Guinness Premiership last season, many believed was unlucky to miss out originally.

The injuries to Hipkiss and Sackey mean the England touring party is further depleted after the loss of fly-halves Jonny Wilkinson and Danny Cipriani as well as wing Tom Voyce to shoulder surgery in recent weeks.

However, England team manager Rob Andrew has been boosted by the news that Sale Sharks number ten Charlie Hodgson and Newcastle Falcons centre Toby Flood are both fit to travel.

It had been feared they would miss the tour after being withdrawn in yesterday's match against the Barbarians at Twickenham, but both men have recovered sufficiently to board the plane to New Zealand.

"On behalf of the squad I'd like to wish Paul and Dan speedy recoveries from their injuries," Andrew said.

"Both Dominic and Tom are excellent players and I look forward to working with them over the next three weeks."

Speaking about his call-up, Waldouck said: "Being asked to tour New Zealand is fantastic, and I'm very excited and honoured to have been selected.

"It will be my first senior tour, and to go to New Zealand will be a massive challenge but it's a great opportunity to gather experience and learn from other players on the tour, and I'm looking forward to it immensely."

While sympathising with the unfortunate injury to Sackey that has allowed him to be included in the squad, Varndell added: "It's a great honour to be called up with so many quality English wingers around in the Guinness Premiership.

"I'm sure the experience of being involved in the squad will be good for me. My last senior tour was to Australia in 2006 so I'm looking forward to having the opportunity of being part of the England squad again."