Johnson knew that taking the Sale loose head to New Zealand would be a gamble, because he needed an operation on his left shoulder in the summer. This followed a truncated season due to a sore back and calf problem.

But the importance of Sheridan to England was demonstrated when Johnson picked him for the World Cup squad without him appearing in a warm up game until the final outing, against Ireland, three weeks’ ago in Dublin.

Sheridan’s career has been blighted by shoulder problems, including a reconstruction operation in November 2009 after he dislocated his left shoulder against Cardiff Blues in a Heineken Cup game.

His return home will leave England with four props in New Zealand – Stevens, Alex Corbiserio, Dan Cole and David Wilson - and manager Martin Johnson may well call for a replacement in Tim Payne of Wasps or Northampton’s Paul Doran-Jones.

Injury for Sheridan will leave him distraught. Only last week he talked frankly about his desire to prove his worth for England after all his injury problems.

« Previous12345Next »