 Flatman has won eight England caps |
Sir Clive Woodward is ready to take Bath prop David Flatman on England's summer tour even if he is unfit for the first Test against New Zealand. Flatman will miss Saturday's Zurich Premiership final against Wasps with an Achilles tendon injury.
"I still may take him," said Woodward. "This trip is a fantastic opportunity for him and he may be fit for the latter end of the tour.
"But I won't play him if there are any question marks."
Woodward plans to add an extra prop to the tour party, with Harlequins' Mike Worsley - who will start for England's second-string side when they meet the Barbarians on Saturday - the most likely to benefit.
Wasps' Tim Payne and Flatman's Bath team-mate David Barnes have both been called into the England A squad for June's Churchill Cup in Canada, and will also be in contention.
The pair are likely to face each other in Saturday's Premiership final, and Woodward will make a decision early next week, before the squad leave on Wednesday, 2 June.
The first Test against New Zealand is in Dunedin on 12 June, with the second in Auckland a week later.
England conclude their tour with a World Cup final rematch against Australia in Brisbane on 26 June.
MMIX
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