Players downed by stomach bug

PRETORIA – England’s depleted rugby squad suffered further bad news yesterday when four more players were ruled out of the second Test with South Africa at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria because of a stomach bug.

Fullback Mike Brown, loose forward Andy Hazell, wing James Simpson-Daniel and centre Andy Farrell are out of the running for Saturday’s Test. They join David Strettle, Iain Balshaw and Nick Wood who pulled out of the tour following the Springboks’ first Test 58-10 win in Bloemfontein last weekend.Brown, Simpson-Daniel and Farrell are, according to England coach Brian Ashton, too ill to fly home after picking up the stomach bug.A large chunk of the touring England squad have been downed by a viral infection that has moved through the team since their arrival in South Africa two weeks ago.Ashton will only name his team for the second Test on Friday.Captain Jason Robinson (leg injury) is also still in danger of missing the match.”He’s been undergoing rehabilitation this week and spent the morning in the gym and in the pool,” said Ashton Wednesday.”We’re confident he’ll be okay to take his place in the team on Friday.”With only seven fit backs remaining in the touring party, Ashton has decided to call up Bath fullback Nick Abendanon.Asked if he felt any sympathy for Springbok coach Jake White, who’s also had to deal with players going down with the flu this week, Ashton emphatically said, “No.”Nampa-AFPThey join David Strettle, Iain Balshaw and Nick Wood who pulled out of the tour following the Springboks’ first Test 58-10 win in Bloemfontein last weekend.Brown, Simpson-Daniel and Farrell are, according to England coach Brian Ashton, too ill to fly home after picking up the stomach bug.A large chunk of the touring England squad have been downed by a viral infection that has moved through the team since their arrival in South Africa two weeks ago.Ashton will only name his team for the second Test on Friday.Captain Jason Robinson (leg injury) is also still in danger of missing the match.”He’s been undergoing rehabilitation this week and spent the morning in the gym and in the pool,” said Ashton Wednesday.”We’re confident he’ll be okay to take his place in the team on Friday.”With only seven fit backs remaining in the touring party, Ashton has decided to call up Bath fullback Nick Abendanon.Asked if he felt any sympathy for Springbok coach Jake White, who’s also had to deal with players going down with the flu this week, Ashton emphatically said, “No.”Nampa-AFP