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Rugby Union

Virus victim Hodgson stays home

29/06/2007

Charlie Hodgson has not traveled with the rest of the England squad to their pre-World Cup training camp in Portugal because of viral symptoms.

The Sale Sharks fly-half was told to stay at home while the remainder of the 47-strong group flew to the Algarve to begin their intensive preparations for the tournament in France, beginning in September.

Hodgson was diagnosed with the early symptoms of viral gastroenteritis and will be treated in England in order to prevent a repeat of the illness-ravaged tour of South Africa.

That two-Test tour against the Springboks, which already featured an understrength England squad because of club commitments for several top players, was hit by a similar virus sweeping the squad.

Several first-choice players, including fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, winger David Strettle, centre Andy Farrell and utility back James Simpson-Daniel, were struck down with the debilitating illness.

Strettle was even admitted to hospital to receive treatment and did not play in either match, while the training programme and total game-time afforded to the other players was severely disrupted.

It is not yet clear if Hodgson will join up with the rest of the squad, but provided he makes a full recovery as expected in the next few days he will fly out later to link up with the rest of Brian Ashton's men.

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