Joe Simpson misses England tour

JOE Simpson's first senior England tour ended before it began yesterday after he was forced to pull out of the trip to Australia and New Zealand with a hamstring problem.

The Wasps scrum-half was injured during his appearance off the bench against the Barbarians yesterday and he has been replaced by Paul Hodgson.

There was better news for Jon Golding and Charlie Hodgson, who were also injury concerns after England's 35-26 victory but both boarded the flight bound for Perth.