WOOD OFF TO PUT HIS TOUR IN DOUBT

TOM WOOD is a doubt for England’s tour of Argentina next month after the Northampton flanker was sent off in his side’s Champions Cup play-off final win over Stade Francais.

Wood was red-carded by referee John Lacey last night following what appeared to be a stamp on Stade full back Djibril Camara’s head in the 63rd minute.

England coach Eddie Jones will finalise his squad on Monday with Wood, who was named in an initial 31-man squad last month, now facing a lengthy ban.

Trailing 22-9 at half-time and down to 13 men at one stage during the second half with Wood sent off and Rory Hutchinson in the sin-bin, Saints staged a stirring second- half fightback. Ashee Tuala’s late try secured victory and with it Northampton’s place in next season’s Champions Cup.

Lions tourists George North and Courtney Lawes, who picked up his third man of the match award in a row, both came through the contest unscathed.

Meanwhile, if Sam Underhill becomes the answer to England’s prayers at openside flanker on the Argentina tour, Jones will owe it to Richard Hill.

The World Cup-winning back rower, capped 76 times for England and five times by the Lions, spotted the 20-year-old No 7 in Wales in his role as team manager at the RFU. Jones said: ‘I remember having a meeting with all the under-age coaches and we went through all the players that were available.

‘Hilly said, “You’ve got to see this bloke play”, and he was right. I might have said, “I can’t see any natural sevens in England”, and he said, “Well, here’s one”.’

Underhill left Gloucester aged 19 and spent two years playing for the Ospreys while studying economics at Cardiff University, but he moves to Bath this summer, making him eligible for England again.

He will start his first senior match tomorrow at Twickenham against the Barbarians. It will not be his first cap, though, as the game is not an official Test. That honour will come on the Argentina tour.