 Simpson-Daniel ruled out of the clash with Canada |
Gloucester wing James Simpson-Daniel has been ruled out of England's clash with Canada with a hamstring injury. The speedster is the latest big name England casualty with Richard Hill and Jonny Wilkinson already sidelined.
The winger said: "I find it hard to put into words how I feel. It's pretty similar to when I was told about the glandular fever the other year."
His Gloucester team-mate Alex Brown is also out of contention for the game with an arm injury.
New England coach Andy Robinson, who last month singled out Simpson-Daniel as a player to watch this autumn, is set to be without the Gloucester youngster for between two and four weeks.
Both men picked up their respective injuries in the Heineken Cup victory over Ulster last weekend and for Simpson-Daniel in particular it is another cruel blow in his relatively short playing career.
"I didn't think the scan I had on my hamstring while with England would be anything serious," added the winger, "so it was a real surprise when I was told the results. "I was hopeful and confident it would be okay, but what can you say, it is just typical of the luck I've had.
"It can't be taped up, it has to be addressed. It just seems there is always something like this when we have big games (for Gloucester) like Leicester on Saturday, and then the chance to be in contention for England."
England begin their November schedule at Twickenham on Saturday week, followed by appointments with Tri-Nations champions South Africa and World Cup runners up Australia.
Robinson is set to name his starting line up and replacements for the Canada clash next Monday, with Bath pair Steve Borthwick and Mike Tindall among other contenders to replace the injured Wilkinson as skipper if the Newcastle ace is definitely ruled out.