Mathew Tait and Luke Narraway have both been ruled out of England's season-opening Test against the Pacific Islands at Twickenham this Saturday because of hamstring injuries.

Sale back Tait and Gloucester back-row Narraway were sent back to their clubs Monday after being assessed by the England medical team, a statement issued by the Rugby Football Union said.

They are due to rejoin the England squad at their Bagshot training base, south-west of London, on Sunday.

Meanwhile David Paice of London Irish has been called up as cover for Leicester hooker George Chuter after the Tigers front row sustained a knee injury last week.

Tait's injury means England manager Martin Johnson could hand a Test debut at full-back to London Irish's Delon Armitage.

The No 15 shirt is proving tricky to fill with Bath's Nick Abendanon already sidelined with a toe injury and the out-of-form Josh Lewsey, a World Cup-winner alongside Johnson five years ago, sent back to club side Wasps.

England, after their match with the Pacific Islands, face Australia (November 15), world champions South Africa (Nov 22) and Tri-Nations title-holders New Zealand (Nov 29) on successive weekends at Twickenham.

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