Saints flanker Clark to miss England tour

BIG BLOW - Calum Clark will miss England's tour of South America due to the ankle injury he picked up in Saints' win at Saracens (picture by Linda Dawson)

It is another untimely blow for the 23-year-old, who missed his club’s Premiership final defeat to Leicester with the ankle injury picked up at Saracens 13 days earlier.

Clark was also ruled out of this year’s Six Nations due to a shoulder problem sustained in a Heineken Cup defeat at Glasgow in January.

He has been replaced in the squad by Sale’s Wasps-bound Kearnan Myall for the tour, which begins in Montivideo on June 2.

After the announcement of the news, Clark tweeted: “Huge disappointment to miss out on another opportunity to be with the England squad. However, there are lots of players in my position who have had great seasons and deserve their opportunity.

“It’s been a tough year. I have to look forward and get back to playing well.”

Leicester Tigers’ second row forward Ed Slater is also ruled out due to a tricep injury, meaning England will travel with a squad of 31 men.

The Red Rose face a CONSUR XV in the Uruguayan capital before heading to Argentina for two Tests against the Pumas on June 8 and June 15.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster said: “It’s unfortunate for both Calum and Ed that they won’t be able to join up with England this summer but I’m sure they will be back and pushing for places next season.

“Kearnan did well in a good team performance against the Barbarians and now has a great chance to continue his progress with us on tour.

“It means we travel with one player less than originally selected but we have lots of options in the second row and back row to cover for that.”