Highly unlikely Tindall will make it to finals, says Ashton

MIKE TINDALL’S hopes of reviving his World Cup dream appear to be fading as England build towards their tournament warm-up Tests.

Head coach Brian Ashton believes it is “highly unlikely” 2003 World Cup winner Tindall will be in contention for England’s Twickenham clash with Wales on August 4.

That would then leave the Gloucester centre with just one more game — against France at the same venue seven days later — before Ashton announces his 30-man World Cup squad on August 14.

Tindall, who has won more than 50 caps, is recovering from a broken leg suffered during Gloucester’s Guinness Premiership clash against Newcastle in April when he collided with England colleague Toby Flood.

A fully-fit Tindall would contest England’s outside centre position alongside Mathew Tait, but time is not on his side.

Ashton said: “We probably need to make some sort of call over the next couple of weeks. It is ongoing rehab with Mike, but of all the players who are currently rehabbing he is well behind the others.

“It is highly unlikely the way things are at the moment that he will be fit for the Wales game.”

Having already lost Tindall’s 2003 colleagues Ben Cohen and Julian White from England’s Webb Ellis Trophy defence in September and October for family reasons, Ashton will not want to see the Gloucester player ruled out.

But while Tindall continues on a difficult road back to full fitness, Ashton has delivered a vibrant medical report regarding uncapped Bristol number eight Dan Ward-Smith.

Ward-Smith has not played since suffering a serious knee injury in January, but he has made rapid strides in recent weeks, so much so that he has now resumed full training and looks certain to be in strong contention for a World Cup place.

England continued World Cup preparations at their University of Bath training base yesterday, although a handful of players were unable to take a full part in training due to niggling injuries.

The list includes skipper Phil Vickery, wing Josh Lewsey and fly-half Charlie Hodgson, but none of the current fitness issues are expected to sideline any of the players for the Wales encounter.

And that includes Lawrence Dallaglio, who is continuing his recovery after undergoing minor knee surgery two months ago.

Ashton last week reduced his preliminary training squad from 46 players to 40, ending the World Cup hopes of Olly Morgan, Fraser Waters, Shane Geraghty, Louis Deacon, Andy Hazell and Magnus Lund.

A further cull could be announced today after talks between Ashton and coaches, although it is far from certain the squad will dwindle further in size at this stage.