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Sharks get a tour boost

14/ 5/2008

THREE Sharks players have been given reason to celebrate just days after their team’s shock drop out of the Guinness Premiership play-offs.

Flyhalf Charlie Hodgson, prop Andrew Sheridan and scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth have been selected for England’s tour to New Zealand next month.

There was little to smile about at Edgeley Park on Saturday, when Sharks suffered only their second defeat of the season at home, a 17-7 loss against London Irish.

Director of rugby Philippe Saint-Andre, whose mood has softened since the aftermath of the dismal defeat, said: "All these players deserve their places on tour. They will have a short holiday before joining up with England.

"Hopefully they will enjoy their tour and return to the club refreshed and ready for the 2008/2009 season.

"We also have the Lobbe brothers playing for Argentina during the summer and Sebastien Bruno, Lionel Faure and Sebastien Chabal are hoping to be named in the French squad."

Sale’s new signing Mathew Tait is also in the England squad for the two match series against the All Blacks.

Uncapped Ben Foden, whose performances at full-back for Sale earned plaudits from coaches and the media, has not been included in the senior squad.

Instead the 22-year-old whizz-kid, who has joined Northampton Saints, has been given a place in the England Saxons squad for the Churchill Cup in Canada, along with his Sale team-mate Chris Jones.