English Rugby
Tait and Narraway out of Pacific Islanders clash
Scrum.com
November 3, 2008
Luke Narraway runs into Mathew Tait during England training, January 29 2008
Luke Narraway (L) and Mathew Tait have both been ruled out of England's clash with the Pacific Islanders © Getty Images
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Mathew Tait and Luke Narraway have tonight been ruled out of England's opening autumn Test against the Pacific Islanders after failing to overcome hamstring injuries.

New England manager Martin Johnson is due to announce his team tomorrow and Tait's absence opens the door for London Irish full-back Delon Armitage to be given a Test debut. Narraway was one of England's outstanding players on the summer tour to New Zealand but having been ruled out Nick Easter is set to make his return to the team.

Armitage and Easter were added to the England training squad last week as cover for Tait and Narraway, who will return to the England base on Sunday to undergo a further medical review. London Irish hooker David Paice has been drafted into the wider England squad as cover for Leicester's George Chuter, who has a knee injury.

Armitage, 24, did not feature in the top 64 England players named on July 1 despite being a regular in the Saxons squad over the last two years. But Johnson has been able to work the system and promote Armitage through the Saxons squad and straight into the frame for a Test debut after injuries to Tait and Nick Abendanon.

Johnson provided his first hint at Armitage's potential inclusion last week when he was retained at England training while Josh Lewsey, the only other fit candidate for the full-back jersey, was sent back to play for Wasps.

London Irish director of rugby Toby Booth said, "Two things have happened with Delon - he has got a bit more mature and mellow, and he has also worked very hard on additional aspects of his kicking game.

"He has been in every Saxons squad, and injury has now offered him a route into the EPS. He is very able - he has the skill set - and is also a fierce competitor. The big occasion doesn't bother him. I am looking forward to him having an opportunity."

Armitage is set to be one of three uncapped players named in the England side tomorrow, with Harlequins flyer Ugo Monye tipped to start on the wing and Wasps' naturalised New Zealander Riki Flutey at inside centre.

Easter played in the 2007 World Cup final but he was invalided out of the summer tour with a broken bone in his hand and then found himself demoted to the Saxons squad in July. England were not happy with his form or fitness. The selection was as much a test of character as anything and he has passed it with flying colours.

Johnson and England's forwards coach John Wells have both been in regular contact with Harlequins boss Dean Richards and they have been impressed by his renewed commitment. With England likely to opt for Wasps' Tom Rees and Leicester tearaway Tom Croft on the flanks, Easter's direct, powerful approach would bring balance to the back row.

Monye, 25, has been in electric form for Harlequins this season, scoring five tries in seven Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup games.

Quins boss Richards believes Monye deserves a chance against the Islanders. "I would like him to start. He has been playing well and he has scored some tries you wouldn't expect other people to score," Richards said recently.

Flutey is a former New Zealand Maori international but qualified for England in September after two years at London Irish and one full season with Wasps. Flutey was a key factor in Wasps' late charge to the Premiership title last season and he ended up playing at fly-half in the final after Danny Cipriani had suffered a gruesome ankle injury.

The Wasps duo are set to be named in the same England team tomorrow after Cipriani returned to fitness six weeks ahead of schedule.

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