Ashton rendered speechless

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Preparations for Saturday's second Test against the Springboks at Loftus Versfeld continue to be hit by illness and injury setbacks.

"I have actually reached the stage where I don't know what to say," claimed Ashton. "I am not making excuses - I am just reporting the facts. There is nowhere to hide. We are not going home, we have a Test match to play."

A day after Harlequins wing David Strettle flew home due to the effects of a stomach virus that has swept through England's camp, head coach Ashton lost four more players.

The same virus has sidelined Andy Farrell, Mike Brown and James Simpson-Daniel, while the latter's Gloucester colleague Andy Hazell misses out because of a knee problem.

And there could be worse to come given skipper Jason Robinson is battling to overcome a leg injury sustained during the record 58-10 loss in Bloemfontein five days ago.

England are running out of numbers, so much so that 20-year-old uncapped Bath back Nick Abendanon will fly out from London tonight and could go straight into the matchday 22.

Ashton will not announce his starting line up until Friday lunchtime at the earliest - barely 24 hours before kick-off - and he admits the current crisis is one he has never previously experienced during his long coaching career.

The virus continues to maintain a grip on the England squad, with Farrell, Simpson-Daniel and Brown considered too ill even to travel home.

"This is the first time I have been in charge of an international tour, and it has been interesting to say the least. From an operational point of view, it has been difficult, and it is pointless to say otherwise," said Ashton.