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Vickery may miss South Africa match
(Rugby News Service) Monday 10 September 2007
By Matt Torbit
VERSAILLES, 10 September – England captain Phil Vickery could miss Friday's crunch match against South Africa after being cited for kicking.
Vickery was cited after an incident involving USA centre Paul Emerick during their opening Pool A IRB Rugby World Cup match on Saturday.
England assistant coach Mike Ford said as Sunday and Monday were largely recovery days, the citing had not disrupted preparations for England's crucial Pool A showdown with South Africa on Friday.
"It's not been much of a grumble for us. We will name our side (on Tuesday) and by then we will know what has happened to Phil in terms of the judiciary," he said.
"We have just got to get focused and on with the job at hand."
Ford said the citing was part of the game and if Vickery was forced to sit out the match against South Africa, a more than capable replacement would step into the tight-head prop role.
Matt Stevens would likely replace Vickery in the starting line-up if he is forced out.
After the USA game, Vickery described the alleged kick as "unfortunate".
"But there was certainly no malice from my part," he said in a post-match press conference.
In a statement England management said: "England captain Phil Vickery will attend the hearing with the squad's legal representative Richard Smith and a further comment will be made after the hearing is concluded."
Emerick was also cited by citing commissioner Steven Hines for a dangerous tackle on England fly half Olly Barkley during the match.