Wood flies out to Perth after England hit by injuries

MARTYN WOOD arrived in Australia last night and admitted that his head was still spinning from events of the last 24 hours.

The Bath scrum-half has flown to Perth as a precautionary measure, following injuries to Matt Dawson, Kyran Bracken and Andy Gomarsall. Gomarsall should be fit for Saturday's clash against South Africa, but Dawson is rated only a 50-50 prospect and Bracken has a back problem.

Wood, who has won two caps, will not officially join the England squad, even though he has arrived in Australia. For the next couple of days, he won't be allowed to stay in the same hotel as England or train with them, and it is possible that he could return home later this week if the scrum-half injuries clear up.