LONDON, 6 October 2004 — World Cup-winning England forwards Phil Vickery and Lewis Moody have made their first club appearances after long injury absences.

Prop Vickery, the anchor of England’s powerful pack that beat Australia 20-17 in the World Cup final last November, missed England’s tour of Australia and New Zealand in June after surgery to correct a bulging disc in his back in May.

“I’ve been working towards this game for some time, but I didn’t want to make a song and dance over it,” Vickery told Gloucester’s website after playing 40 minutes for the club’s ‘A’ side on Monday.

“We all agreed that 20 minutes would be the starting block, but after a chat with the doctor midway through the first half, everything felt good for another 20 minutes.

“It’s important to realize that this 40 minutes is not the end of the story. I was a little nervous, but mentally, it’s been fantastic to have played the entire first half.”

The 28-year-old tighthead prop said he was unsure when he would return for the club’s first team.

Versatile loose forward Moody, who has been out of action for nine months after recovering from a stress fracture in his foot, also appeared for his club Leicester’s reserve side and played virtually the entire match.

Their World Cup teammate Richard Hill is to have a scan on his knee injury later yesterday, his club Saracens said in a statement on their website. Loose forward Hill sustained the injury to his left knee on Sunday while playing for Saracens against London Irish in the English premiership.

England’s next international is on Nov. 13 against Canada at Twickenham.

Howley Suffers Injury Setback

Former Wales captain Rob Howley said Monday that a recurring wrist surgery has put his comeback on hold until next year. It also casts doubts over the future playing career of 33-year-old Wasps scrum-half Howley, and his prospects of making the Lions tour of New Zealand next summer.

“I had a CT scan last week, and the scan revealed the fracture had not made union,” said Howley, who has not played since Wasps retained their Premiership title by beating Bath at Twickenham in May.

“When I had the cast taken off, the doctors said six to eight weeks before I could play again.