Hodgson faces World Cup heartbreak

England international Charlie Hodgson looks certain to miss the World Cup later this year after being ruled out of action for six months.

The Sale Sharks fly-half suffered a knee injury during England’s RBS 6 Nations Championship victory over Italy at Twickenham two days ago.

And a scan tonight revealed a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, meaning that he will be sidelined until mid-September, barely a month before England launch their World Cup campaign in Australia.