Injured England pair miss tour

Updated 12.03 Mon Jun 02 2008

Keywords: dominic waldouck, tom varndell, toby flood, paul sackey, charlie hodgson, dan hipkiss, new zealand rugby, england, england rugby, new zealand, rugby union, rugby, sport

Paul Sackey and Dan Hipkiss have been left out of England's rugby tour of new Zealand after picking up injuries in the Premiership final.

Wasps wing Sackey needs treatement for a knee injury and Leicester centre Hipkiss has a fractured cheekbone.

"Both Dominic and Tom are excellent players" - Rob Andrew

Leicester's Tom Varndell and Wasps Dominic Waldouck have been called into the squad as replacements.

Tour manager Rob Andrew said: "On behalf of the squad, I would like to wish Paul and Dan speedy recoveries from their injuries.

"Both Dominic and Tom are excellent players, and I look forward to working with them over the next three weeks."

Charlie Hodgson and Toby Flood have been given permission to travel despite picking up injuries playing for England against the Barbarians on Sunday.

Waldouck said: "Being asked to tour New Zealand is fantastic, and I'm very excited and honoured to have been selected.

"It will be my first senior tour, and to go to New Zealand will be a massive challenge, but it's a great opportunity to gather experience and learn from other players on the tour.

England play the All Blacks in Auckland on June 14, then Christchurch seven days later.

Varndell said: "My thoughts are with Paul. It's a great honour to be called up with so many quality English wingers around in the Premiership.

"My last senior tour was to Australia in 2006, so I'm looking forward to having the opportunity of being part of the England squad again."