Injured stars fit for tour

Updated 18.58 Sun Jun 01 2008

Keywords: mathew tait, nick easter, pedrie wannenburg, jerry collins, toby flood, charlie hodgson, rob andrew, barbarians, martin johnson, england rugby, rugby union, england, rugby, sport

England's stand-in rugby union manager Rob Andrew insists Charlie Hodgson and Toby Flood will be fit for the tour of New Zealand.

Both players picked up injuries during the 17-14 win over the Barbarians at Twickenham, but Andrew is convinced they will recover before the first tour match in a fortnight.

"The initial reports are that they will both be fine to travel" - Rob Andrew

Nick Easter and Mathew Tait both scored tries to earn England victory.

But Hodgson needed 13 stitches to a cut under his left eye after clashing heads with Barbarians flanker Jerry Collins and Flood was left bloodied by a tackle from Barbarians number eight Pedrie Wannenburg.

Andrew said: "The initial reports are that they will both be fine to travel. It was a physical work-out, that's for sure.

"The Barbarians were very streetwise, they made it very difficult. They came with a very determined effort to stop us playing and they succeeded."

Andrew will be in charge of England on tour because new manager Martin Johnson is staying at home as his wife is expecting a baby.