News round-up: Matt Dawson was yesterday rated a major doubt to make England's World Cup showdown with South Africa at Subiaco Oval on Saturday, while second row Danny Grewcock will almost certainly miss England's next two matches because of a broken toe.
Dawson went off injured during Sunday's 84-6 victory over Georgia, and England coach Clive Woodward believes that he has only a 50-50 chance of recovering in time.
But England's scrumhalf problem does not end there. Kyran Bracken is battling to overcome a back problem, and although Woodward believes that he will be training again by tomorrow, there must be fears over his long-term World Cup prospects.
Bath scrumhalf Martyn Wood arrived in Australia last night as a precautionary measure. Under World Cup rules, because Wood is not officially joining the squad, he cannot train with England or stay at the same hotel. But a decision is likely either way by Thursday evening. Wood could either fly straight back home, or find himself in the World Cup squad at the expense of an injured colleague.
England's other main injury worry for the Springboks clash is flanker Richard Hill, who has a slight hamstring strain. Hill's progress will be monitored closely, and Woodward is hopeful that one of his key players will be fit.
Woodward announced yesterday that Grewcock broke his toe in the warm-up before the Georgia game after Ben Cohen accidentally stepped on him.
"We don't want Danny to play against South Africa this weekend, or against Samoa next weekend, but if Martin Johnson, Ben Kay or Martin Corry got injured, then he would play," said Woodward.
Scrumhalf Andy Gomarsall and centre Mike Tindall should also be fit for the South Africa encounter after picking up knocks on Sunday.
"The medical staff have been working overtime," Woodward admitted. " I think that Dawson is the main doubt."
Woodward plans to announce his starting line-up to face South Africa tomorrow, and if forecasts prove accurate, then Bracken could well start, with Gomarsall on the bench.
Meanwhile, brilliant Fiji winger Rupeni Caucau delivered a grovelling apology to his country as he reflected on his forearm smash on Olivier Magne in Brisbane on Saturday.
The Auckland Blues winger, who scored a sensational try in his country's 61-18 defeat at Suncorp Stadium, became the first player to feel the force of the International Rugby Board's judicial panel when he was handed a two-match ban for his part in an ugly second-half skirmish.
As one of the top five players on view at the World Cup, his absence leaves a massive hole in the Fiji side to face the USA in Brisbane tomorrow morning (8 a.m.) and coach Mac McCallion has asked Vilimoni Delasau to fill the void.
McCallion has made four other changes to the side beaten by France in an effort to find the winning formula. Outhalf Nicky Little keeps his place but legendary Sevens star Waisale Serevi is kept on the replacements' bench.
The United States have named six 1999 World Cup veterans, including five forwards. Openside flanker Dave Hodges will lead the side, while 1999 Cup veterans Kirk Khasigian at hooker, locks Alec Parker and Luke Gross, and number eight Dan Lyle will join Hodges in the pack.
Scrumhalf Kevin Dalzell, another veteran from 1999, will partner outhalf Mike Hercus.
UNITED STATES: P Emerick; D Fee, P Eloff, K Cross, R van Zyl; M Hercus, K Dalzell; M McDonald, K Khasigian, D Dorsey, A Parker, L Gross, K Shubert, D Hodges (capt), D Lyle. Replacements: M Wyatt, J Tarpoff, G Klerck, J Gouws, K Kjar, S Sika, J Buchholz.
FIJI: A Uluinayau; Ma Vunibaka, A Tuilevu, S Rabeni, R Caucaunibuca/V Delasau; N Little, M Rauluni; N Seru/R Nyholt, G Smith, J Veitayaki, I Rawaqa, A Naevo, A Mocelutu, K Sewabu, A Doviverata (capt). Replacements: B Gadolo, N Seru/R Nyholt, V Maimuri, S Koyamaibole, W Serevi, E Ruivadra, N Ligairi.
