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The chariot is swingin' pretty damn low now!!!
England lose four more players
From correspondents in Pretoria
May 31, 2007
ENGLAND's squad suffered further bad news overnight, when four more players were ruled out of the second Test against South Africa because of a stomach bug.
Full back Mike Brown, flanker Andy Hazell, wing James Simpson-Daniel and centre Andy Farrell are out of the running for the weekend Test at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
David Strettle, Iain Balshaw and Nick Wood had previously pulled out of the tour after the Springboks' record 58-10 win in the first Test Bloemfontein last weekend.
England coach Brian Ashton said Brown, Simpson-Daniel and Farrell were, too ill to fly home after picking up the stomach bug.
A large chunk of the touring England squad has been downed by a viral infection that has moved through the team since its arrival in South Africa two weeks ago.
Captain Jason Robinson is also still in danger of missing the match with a leg injury, and Ashton will name his team for the second Test on Friday..
"He's been undergoing rehabilitation this week, and he spent the morning in the gym and in the pool," Ashton said of Robinson today.
"We're confident he'll be OK to take his place in the team on Friday."
With only seven fit backs remaning in the touring party, Ashton has decided to call up Bath full back Nick Abendanon.
"We're a little thin in the back three right now so Nick will fly out tonight and he'll be considered for Saturday's match," Ashton said.
"There's still an upbeat modd in the team and the guys are still very positive and enthusiastic.
"I'm still hopeful we'll put in a stronger and more intelligent performance this weekend than was the case last Saturday."
Abendanon said of his call-up: "(England Saxons coach) Jim Mallinder did say there could be a high possibility I may start at full back because Mike Brown is ill as well.
"I'll keep my fingers crossed and it will be amazing to play. It is probably the best thing that could happen to a young player. I am speechless, just over the moon. Especially to be called up to South Africa, which is my country of birth.It is just going to be amazing.
"I guess there is a little bit of fear and trepidation - I may have to ask to be put in quarantine or maybe buy myself a face mask to wear around the hotel."
Agence France-Presse
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