Sampson ruled out of England tour
June 11, 2001

Wasps winger Paul Sampson has been ruled out of the remainder of England's tour to North America after cracking his shin in Saturday's 59-20 test win over Canada

England manager Clive Woodward confirmed the news after the 23-year-old Yorkshireman underwent x-rays having being helped off the field shortly before half-time yesterday.

It is a bitter blow to Sampson, who finished top try-scorer in the Premiership last season following a brief Super League stint at Wakefield. No replacement will be flown out with Woodward having the option of leaving Tim Stimpson in the slot or drafting in David Rees from the A team.

However, he has called on Gloucester lock Rob Fidler as cover for Ben Kay, who is struggling with a knee injury.
Kay came off three minutes after half-time after another impressive performance on only his second England appearance, but Woodward fears his tour is also at an end. Fidler, 26, won his only two previous caps on the 1998 `tour from hell' to the southern hemisphere.

He will fly straight to San Francisco, where he could come into contention for the clash with USA A on Tuesday.

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