A round-up of today's other stories in brief
High fliers: England squad put the feet up on adrenaline-fuelled day off in Queenstown
ENGLAND COACH Martin Johnson brushed off criticism for allowing his players to bungee jump as part of an adrenaline-fuelled day off in Queenstown.
Some members of the squad completed the so-called Awesome Foursome – a 134-metre bungee jump, white-water rafting, jet-boating and a helicopter ride.
“What they do when they are training is far more dangerous than what they did there,” said Johnson.
“On these trips you need a balance. We came to Queenstown for a reason. The main reason is to prepare for the Georgia game but they have the opportunity to do things.
“In Auckland they went on the America’s Cup boats. They haven’t been skiing because that is too risky for injury. Bungee jumping is deemed to be something they can do. If any guy had an injury that would be jeopardised by doing it they wouldn’t do it.”
France hopes suffer blow: Outhalf Skrela flies home with shoulder injury
FRANCES WORLD Cup hopes suffered a blow yesterday when outhalf David Skrela (left) was ruled out of the tournament with a shoulder injury.
Skrela managed just 11 minutes after coming on as a second-half replacement in their 47-21 victory over Japan on Saturday after being left in a heap following a collision.
Uncapped Jean-Marc Doussain will replace Skrela after he plays for Toulouse in their French league game against Biarritz tomorrow.
Andrew Sheridan (centre) will fly home from New Zealand today fearing for his rugby career after yet another shoulder injury forced him out of England's World Cup campaign.
Sheridan, who has had three shoulder operations in the last two years, suffered his latest setback in England's 13-9 victory over Argentina. And he will return to England facing an uncertain future. Sheridan suffered a severe dislocation to the same left shoulder in 2009 and another operation could be a bridge too far.
South African winger Bryan Habana (right) sustained a slight knee injury in the world champions 17-16 victory over Wales in their Pool D opener last Sunday in Wellington and will not be available for the match against Fiji on Saturday.
