Strettle ‘massive’ loss for England – Sackey

Aug 9 2007 by Andrew Baldock, Liverpool Daily Post

PAUL SACKEY has described the potential loss of David Strettle from England’s World Cup campaign as "a massive blow".

Formal confirmation of Harlequins star Strettle’s World Cup heartbreak is expected today.

He broke the fifth metatarsal in his left foot during training on Tuesday, and is likely to be ruled out of the tournament following an appointment with a London specialist.

England football stars David Beckham and Wayne Rooney – before the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, respectively – endured seven-week absences when they suffered similar injuries.

A lay-off for Strettle of that proportion would effectively sideline him throughout the World Cup pool stages next month, when England play the USA, South Africa, Samoa and Tonga.

The 24-year-old wing looked a certainty for France, and it would appear Nick Abendanon and Danny Cipriani are now battling it out to complete the World Cup squad’s back-three composition alongside Wasps wing Sackey, Mark Cueto, Jason Robinson and Josh Lewsey.

Sackey said: "I don’t know the full extent of his injury.

"He is an exciting player who has performed really well.

"It would be a massive blow, but if he is out, then we just have to get on with it and get on with the plans we have put in place so far."

Strettle’s injury happened during an open running element of the session in Bath, and no contact was involved.

England head coach Brian Ashton said: "I am obviously sorry to hear about David’s injury and I wish him a speedy recovery.

"I won’t make any decisions about a possible replacement until I receive a full briefing on the consultation on Thursday morning."

If Ashton decides to draft a replacement into his training squad, those in contention would probably include Iain Balshaw, James Simpson-Daniel, Tom Voyce and Dan Scarbrough.

Ashton has already ruled uncapped Bristol number eight Dan Ward-Smith out of his World Cup plans after he failed to recover in time from a knee injury.

Centre Mike Tindall (leg) looks set to miss the final World Cup squad cut – a decision could be made today – while Cueto (groin), Tom Rees (hamstring) and Peter Richards (back) are also currently battling injuries.

Ashton will name his 30-man World Cup squad next Tuesday, and he will feel an acute sense of disappointment and frustration if Strettle, as expected, is deemed unavailable.

Strettle made a try-scoring Test debut against Ireland during the RBS 6 Nations Championship last season, and also started subsequent games against France and Wales.

He toured South Africa with England earlier this summer, but illness dashed his hopes of featuring in the two-Test series.

Strettle was the worst victim of a stomach virus that swept through England’s camp.

He spent three days in intensive care in a Johannesburg hospital before leaving the tour early.

Lawrence Dallaglio, meanwhile, is delighted England’s critics are "having a little pop" at them as the World Cup countdown gathers pace.

The record-breaking Twickenham romp against Wales last Saturday at least got people talking about England again, which in itself is no mean achievement.

After fumbling their way around since winning the 2003 World Cup, England’s 62-5 triumph - albeit against one of the worst Welsh teams in living memory – struck a few chords.

None more so than in South Africa, where Springboks coach Jake White criticised England hooker Mark Regan’s throwing to the lineout, claimed the world champions were too vigorous with their footwork at breakdowns and also described their win as "boring rugby".

Just for good measure, White pinpointed what he perceived as an erratic performance from match referee Joel Jutge, the top French official who will be in charge of the World Cup showdown between England and South Africa at Stade de France on September 14.

But it has succeeded only in bringing a smile to England faces, especially Dallaglio’s as he prepares to make his first red rose start at Twickenham since March 2004 when France arrive in town this weekend. He said: "You know England must be doing something right because everyone is having a go at them, which can’t be a bad thing."