Sport 20-10-2003 Greenwood Rushes Home To Pregnant Wife who: England and Harlequins centre Will Greenwood what: Flies home from World Cup after wife is taken into hospital where: Australia when: Yesterday snippet: England beat South Africa 25-6 in their Pool C clash on Saturday despite what The Times calls "the poorest hour of rugby" they have produced this year but, says The Guardian`s Robert Kitson, "a mix of hard graft, crushing defence and experience allowed England`s fans to contemplate a quarter-final in Brisbane against Wales or Italy, followed by a potential semi-final with France". The bad news is that centre Will Greenwood has since flown home on compassionate leave after receiving news that his pregnant wife Caro is in a London hospital and while he won`t necessarily be missed in the forthcoming games against Samoa and Uruguay, fans will be hoping he can return to Oz soon after. "[His wife] wanted him to stay [in Australia] but it is critical now that we get him back on a plane so he can be with her," said coach Clive Woodward, quoted by the BBC. "And all our wishes are with both of them and I hope that it all goes well." Elsewhere, Wales narrowly beat Tonga 27-20 ("Stephen King would have been proud of this shocker" - The Independent), Ireland beat Namibia 64-7 (Paul O`Connell faces a ban over a stamping incident for which he was not carded during the game) and Scotland fans will be hoping their team can improve on their disappointing performance against Japan when they take on USA in Brisbane this morning. [... more]

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