International Rugby Players
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England without Care at World Cup
England scrum-half Danny Care has been ruled out of the World Cup after injuring his toe, the Rugby Football Union announced on Wednesday.
Care sustained an injury to his left big toe joint in last weekend's fixture against Wales and, after scans, he will undergo surgery this week.
The recovery time is anticipated to be a minimum of six weeks and therefore he is ruled out of the initial 30-man Rugby World Cup squad to be announced on Monday, August 22.
"We are all hugely disappointed for Danny who has worked extremely hard and has been an important part of the squad throughout our Rugby World Cup preparations," said England Team Manager Martin Johnson. "He featured in both warm-up fixtures and was on course for selection so this injury is really disappointing for him personally and for us as a squad. Nobody wants to see a player ruled out at this stage through injury and we all wish Danny a speedy recovery.
"In terms of our selection options we are fortunate to have depth at nine with Ben Youngs, now back into full training, Joe Simpson and Richard Wigglesworth. These guys have all been part of the Rugby World Cup camp and will be considered ahead of the final 30 man squad announced on Monday."
World Cup heartbreak for Rees
Wales captain and hooker Matthew Rees will take no part in this year's Rugby World Cup due to a neck injury that requires surgery.
The 47-times capped Rees has been officially replaced in Wales' training squad by Ospreys hooker Richard Hibbard.
Wales coach Warren Gatland had admitted that Rees was in "severe pain" in the aftermath of Saturday's 19-9 win over England at the Millennium Stadium. "The safety and longevity of Matthew's career is paramount, we are all very disappointed that Matthew will not be with us at the World Cup but his health is at the fore of our decision," said Wales team doctor Prav Mathema. "Matthew will not be available for selection after losing his race for fitness from a persistent neck injury.
"Following a series of injections and intensive treatment and rehabilitation the decision has been made to omit him from the squad to allow him to undergo surgery. "The medical teams of both the Scarlets and the WRU concluded unanimously to proceed with surgery."
Planet Rugby
New Zealand All Blacks Tour Port Elizabeth
France training, Enfield
Shooting session, Enfield
XV Ireland vs France
15 Felix Jones, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (capt), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Tomas O'Leary, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 David Wallace, 6 Sean O'Brien, 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Jerry Flannery, 17 Tom Court, 18 Mike McCarthy, 19 Stephen Ferris, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Ronan O'Gara, 22 Luke Fitzgerald.
Planet Rugby
Elsom hands over reins to Horwill
Rocky Elsom has been dumped as Wallabies captain and replaced by James Horwill for the World Cup in New Zealand starting next month.
XV New Zealand vs South Africa
15 Israel Dagg, 14 Isaia Toeava, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Adam Thomson, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (capt) 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Jarrad Hoeata, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Piri Weepu, 22 Cory Jane.
XV South Africa vs New Zealand
15 Pat Lambie, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 John Smit, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 CJ van der Linde, 19 Danie Rossouw, 20 Ashley Johnson, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Butch James.
Date: Saturday, August 20
Kick-off: 17:00 (15:00 GMT)
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Planet Rugby
Australian Wallabies 2011 Rugby World Cup Squad
Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies), Berrick Barnes (Waratahs), Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), Luke Burgess (Waratahs), Quade Cooper (Reds), Rocky Elsom (Brumbies), Anthony Fainga'a (Reds), Saia Fainga'a (Reds), Will Genia (Reds), Scott Higginbotham (Reds), Rob Horne (Waratahs), James Horwill (Reds, capt), Digby Ioane (Reds), Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), Salesi Ma'afu (Brumbies), Pat McCabe (Brumbies), Ben McCalman (Western Force), Drew Mitchell (Waratahs), Stephen Moore (Brumbies), James O'Connor (Western Force), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), Nick Phipps (Melbourne Rebels), David Pocock (Western Force), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), Radike Samo (Reds), Nathan Sharpe (Western Force), Rob Simmons (Reds), James Slipper (Reds), Dan Vickerman (Waratahs).
Wallabies RWC 2011 Headshots
All Blacks training, Port Elizabeth
Ireland Captain's run, Aviva Stadium
All Blacks Captains Run, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
