England have been forced to reshuffle their squad for next month's tour to Australia and New Zealand after the Northampton hooker, Dylan Hartley, a Kiwi born and bred, pulled out with a knee injury sustained during the Premiership play-off semi-final against Saracens last Sunday.
Hartley has started seven of England's eight internationals this season, coming off the bench during the opening November international against Australia at Twickenham to replace Steve Thompson. As captain of his club, he was also regarded as one of the leaders in a squad who will be missing their captain of the past two years, Steve Borthwick.
Leicester's George Chuter will replace Hartley, who is to have an arthroscopy on his right knee to repair cartilage damage, while England Saxons also have a problem at hooker with David Paice withdrawing from the squad taking part in the Churchill Cup because of an arm injury. He has been replaced by Andy Titterrell.
The Wasps flanker, Tom Rees, who has missed most of the season because of a shoulder injury, and the Bath second row, Stuart Hooper, have also pulled out of the trip to the United States, replaced by Kearnan Myall and James Hudson respectively.
"Tom had a very difficult season after coming through two shoulder operations," said the Wasps director of rugby, Tony Hanks. "While he enjoyed some success on his return, injuries of this nature need constant monitoring and a summer spent strengthening the shoulder will be hugely beneficial and ensure prevention of further damage."
Myall and Titterrell are rewarded for the strong second half of the Premiership campaign enjoyed by Leeds whose director of rugby, Andy Key, is looking to add 10 players to add to his squad for next season. "We need more competition in the squad and we are looking at players who will give us that," he said.
