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Waldrom joins England squad as replacement

Sunday 25 September 2011, 10:37PM

By Rugby World Cup 2011

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Thomas Waldrom will train with the squad in Auckland on Monday
Thomas Waldrom will train with the squad in Auckland on Monday Credit: Rugby World Cup 2011

DUNEDIN

Thomas Waldrom officially joined England's squad on Sunday evening as a replacement for Andrew Sheridan.

The Leicester Tigers back row arrived in Dunedin on Wednesday as temporary cover for number 8 Nick Easter and although the Harlequins man is recovering from a sore back it has been decided to add Waldrom and make the party back up to 30.

Under IRB rules, replacements cannot join the team until the injured player has left the squad. Although prop Andrew Sheridan was sent home after sustaining an injury in the first match against Argentina, manager Martin Johnson had been undecided whether to replace him or Easter, so Waldrom had to wait.

Johnson said: "Nick is making good progress as is Matt Stevens but with Thomas now out here it makes sense to get him into the squad officially so he can join in with training. We also owe it to Leicester to make a decision so that they can plan accordingly without him."

Waldrom will train with the England squad in Auckland on Monday as they prepare for their Pool B match against Scotland on 1 October.