August 9 2007

David Strettle (Harlequins) will have a screw inserted into the fractured fifth metatarsal in his left foot tonight in London.

It is anticipated that he will return to play in 12 weeks.

England Head Coach Brian Ashton said: “On behalf of the squad I feel desperately sorry for David as, like many others, I am sure he would have made a huge contribution to our 2007 Rugby World Cup campaign.

“The England medical team will be in regular contact with their counterparts at Harlequins and I look forward to seeing David playing again in the not too distant future.”