Walshe gets England call

Nick Walshe is to join the England squad in South Africa

Saracens scrum-half Nick Walshe is the latest player to be called up to join England's South Africa tour squad swelling its ranks to 42 players.

The uncapped Walshe, understudy to Kyran Bracken at Vicarage Road, will arrive in Johannesburg on Tuesday as cover for injured Leeds captain Scott Benton.

He impressed in his outings for Saracens while Bracken recovered from injury.

Walshe is the fourth late call-up for the squad with Ben Clarke, Ali Hepher and Leicester prop Graham Rowntree the other additions to the original squad for the five-match tour.

Calf strain

Benton has a calf strain and was not be considered for Tuesday's tour opener against North-West Districts in Potchefstroom.

However, he will remain with the England party, and might play a part against Griqualand West next week if his injury clears up.

With Bracken a Test team certainty, and Wasps' Martyn selected against North-West Districts, the 26-year-old Walshe can expect limited opportunities to impress.

But there is clearly enough concern about Benton's fitness to warrant sending for another scrum-half, swelling the England squad to 42 players.

Gloucester prop Trevor Woodman, who suffered a neck injury in training last week, has already returned home.

His replacement - Rowntree - is due to arrive in Johannesburg on Monday, and might feature among the substitutes on Tuesday.

England manager Clive Woodward has still to finalise the replacements' bench, but his reserves will include highly-rated Bristol forward Andrew Sheridan.