Sackey and Hipkiss out of New Zealand tour

Paul Sackey and Dan Hipkiss were today ruled out of England's two Test-tour of New Zealand after being injured during the Guinness Premiership Final.

Wasps wing Sackey aggravated a knee ligament injury and Leicester centre Hipkiss is expected to take three weeks to recover from a fractured cheekbone.

Sackey's place on the flight from Heathrow tonight will be taken by Leicester's Tom Varndell. Hipkiss has been replaced by Dominic Waldouck, of Wasps.

Varndell and Waldouck's places in the England Saxons squad, who will play Canada and the United States this month, will be taken by Tom Biggs, of Leeds, and Saracens' Adam Powell.

Waldouck said: "To go to New Zealand will be a massive challenge and a great opportunity."