England duo fit to travel

Rob Andrew tonight moved to allay fitness fears surrounding key backs Charlie Hodgson and Toby Flood ahead of England's New Zealand tour.

Rob Andrew has moved to allay fitness fears surrounding key backs Charlie Hodgson and Toby Flood ahead of England's New Zealand tour.

Fly-half Hodgson required 13 stitches to a cut beneath his left eye during England's stuttering 17-14 victory over the Barbarians at Twickenham.

Hodgson clashed heads with Barbarians flanker Jerry Collins, while bloodied Newcastle centre Flood was also forced off.

“They will both be fine,” Andrew said

“The initial reports are that they will both be fine to travel. It was a physical work-out, that's for sure.”

Centre Dan Hipkiss, who suffered a facial injury during Leicester's Guinness Premiership Final defeat against Wasps on Saturday, appears to be England's biggest fitness doubt.

Checks will be conducted on Sunday ahead of England's evening flight to Auckland, where they face the All Blacks on June 14, then in Christchurch seven days later.