Real shame for Hooky. I though he has looked as good as he has for some time on this tour, and his versatility would have freed up a lot of space on the bench. Hook can play in so many positions it would have provided far, far better cover. The bench, and therefore the team, look badly weakened as a result. I think this could well see the Wallace/Williams 6 and 7 partnership start with Croft on the bench to cover at 6 and in the backrow. It's what they do with the seventh slot that will be interesting. My original 'best' bench would have looked like this: Kearney, Hook, Ellis, Adam/Vickery, Ford/Rees, Hines, Wallace/Williams, with Croft starting
This now forces a big rejig. Possible bench: Kearney, Ellis, O'Gara, Adam/Vickery, Ford/Rees, Croft (to cover lock and 6), ? - possibly Powell or another back, maybe Fitzgerald. This would see Wallace and Williams starting together, and Hines denied a place.