Charlie Hodgson is brought into the England squad
Sale out-half Charlie Hodgson has become the latest player to be called into the England squad after it was confirmed that Johnny Wilkinson was suffering from a shoulder injury.
Hodgson will now be the fifth player brought into the England squad to provide cover for injuries.
The uncapped Harlequins prop Joe Marler is set to replace David Wilson who injured his back. Brad Barritt will provide cover for Riki Flutley who injured his calf against Northampton.
Dan Ward-Smith will be used to replace Simon Shaw if he fails to recover from his calf injury, while Tom Wood will move into the squad if Hendrie Fourier can’t shake off his rib injury.
England manager Martin Johnson will be cursing his luck at the spate of recent injuries that has decimated his squad.
Johnson will be most concerned over Wilkinson’s injured shoulder. The player has had serious shoulder problems in the past and has been sidelined for much of his career with shoulder injuries.
Wilkinson has played superbly for Toulon in the Heineken Cup and the domestic French League this season. He would be a huge loss if he was ruled out of England’s autumn internationals.
The 31-year-old complained of a pain in his shoulder when he showed up to the England camp on Monday 25 October.
Hodgson is an experienced replacement and was included in the squad on their tour to Australia in the summer. The out-half failed to play in any of the international games while on the tour and was used in the midweek games against Australian club sides.
Toby Flood will be expected to start if Wilkinson fails to recover in time for the opening match against New Zealand on Saturday 6 November.
England will also play South Africa, Samoa and Australia as part of the November Tests. Johnson will hope that Wilkinson will still be able to play a pivotal part in the series.
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