Haskell fit to face Ireland

ENGLAND flanker James Haskell has been passed fit for selection against Ireland on Saturday.

Haskell was sent for a precautionary scan on his foot, which revealed only mild inflammation to a tendon.

The 26-year-old trained fully with the squad yesterday and will be available for England’s final Rugby World Cup warm-up international.

England manager Martin Johnson will name his side to face Ireland tomorrow lunchtime.

With squad captain Lewis Moody still recovering from a knee injury, Haskell will be in the running to start at open-side flanker, the position he played during England’s title-winning Six Nations campaign.

Meanwhile, Leicester number eight Jordan Crane has been ruled out for the upcoming season after surgery on a knee injury.

Crane, an England international, has been one of the Tigers’ most consistent performers of late, captaining the side on a number of occasions and leading the Saxons to a Churchill Cup win.

Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said losing Crane is a setback for his side.

“It is a blow for Crane, who loves playing and just wants to play. It is tough for him as a 25-year-old to be having a year out of the game,” Cockerill said.