Barkley Faces Scan on Injured Hip As Ashton Rings Changes
England face major problems at fly-half ahead of Friday's Pool A match against South Africa after Jonny Wilkinson was ruled out through injury and Olly Barkley was taken to hospital for a scan on his hip.
England face major problems at fly-half ahead of Friday's Pool A showdown against South Africa after Jonny Wilkinson was ruled out through injury and Olly Barkley was taken to hospital for a scan on his hip.
It is not clear how serious the injury to Barkley - who was named in Brian Ashton's starting line-up to face the Springboks earlier today - is, but if the Bath fly-half is ruled out, then Brian Ashton will be desperately short of options at fly-half. With no other recognised No11 in England's squad, Matt Catt would probably have to be switched from centre.
Ashton has also dropped Lawrence Dallaglio and Mark Cueto for Friday's match. However Phil Vickery, who has been cited on a charge of kicking the USA's Paul Emerick during Saturday's 28-10 win in Lens, is named in England's starting XV.
Jason Robinson has been moved to full-back in place of Cueto with Paul Sackey coming in on the left wing. Nick Easter replaces Dallaglio and Martin Corry takes over from Joe Worsley at blindside flanker.
England team: Robinson, Lewsey, Noon, Catt, Sackey, Barkley, Perry, Easter, Rees, Corry, Kay, Shaw, Vickery (captain), Regan, Sheridan. Replacements: Chuter, Stevens, Borthwick, Moody, Gomarsall, Farrell.
It is not clear how serious the injury to Barkley - who was named in Brian Ashton's starting line-up to face the Springboks earlier today - is, but if the Bath fly-half is ruled out, then Brian Ashton will be desperately short of options at fly-half. With no other recognised No11 in England's squad, Matt Catt would probably have to be switched from centre.
Ashton has also dropped Lawrence Dallaglio and Mark Cueto for Friday's match. However Phil Vickery, who has been cited on a charge of kicking the USA's Paul Emerick during Saturday's 28-10 win in Lens, is named in England's starting XV.
Jason Robinson has been moved to full-back in place of Cueto with Paul Sackey coming in on the left wing. Nick Easter replaces Dallaglio and Martin Corry takes over from Joe Worsley at blindside flanker.
England team: Robinson, Lewsey, Noon, Catt, Sackey, Barkley, Perry, Easter, Rees, Corry, Kay, Shaw, Vickery (captain), Regan, Sheridan. Replacements: Chuter, Stevens, Borthwick, Moody, Gomarsall, Farrell.
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