England blow as Sheridan’s World Cup over

ENGLAND prop Andrew Sheridan has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup with a shoulder injury, the RFU announced last night.

Sheridan will return home for treatment, subject to final approval from the tournament’s medical director, and he will be replaced in England’s 30-man squad.

England manager Martin Johnson is yet to decide on the identity of Sheridan’s replacement.

Johnson, said: “It’s really sad for Sheri, he’s been unlucky. We brought five props so we have options and we can decide to bring a replacement in due course.” Northampton’s Paul Doran-Jones, Wasps’ Tim Payne or Matt Mullan of Worcester could join the squad.

The loss of Sheridan adds to England’s woes. They are already considering whether to appeal against Courtney Lawes’ two-match ban for recklessly striking Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma with his knee.

Northampton lock Lawes, the first player to be banned at the World Cup, is out of England’s matches against Romania and Georgia but he will be available to face Scotland on October 1.

The independent judicial officer Terry Willis, from Australia, reduced the ban from three to two weeks.