Veteran England lock Simon Shaw will fly out to New Zealand later than the rest of Martin Johnson's World Cup squad because of a "stomach upset" it was announced on Monday.

The other 29 members of Johnson's squad and the backroom staff were all due to fly to New Zealand on Monday. But Shaw, who turns 38 during the tournament, won't leave until Tuesday at the earliest.

"Simon Shaw's not travelling today (Monday), he's travelling tomorrow (Tuesday)," Johnson told reporters at England's training base.

"He's been ill today, a sickness bug. He's going to follow on tomorrow. It was not wise for him to travel today. So he'll come tomorrow or if not, the next day."

An RFU statement issued after Johnson's news conference said: "Simon Shaw will not fly with the England squad to New Zealand today due to a stomach upset. He will travel as soon as he is fit."

England, who beat Ireland 20-9 in their final warm-up match in Dublin on Saturday - a match where Shaw came off the bench - have several players nursing longstanding injuries, with squad captain Lewis Moody and scrumhalf Ben Youngs both battling knee problems.

But Johnson said he anticipated all squad members would train in the build-up to England's opening pool match against Argentina in Dunedin on September 10.

"The longer-term guys, the plan is for them to be training fully by next week and in time for the Argentina game," said Johnson, England's 2003 World Cup-winning captain.

"They are on course. Ben warmed-up with the team on Saturday, so he's dying to get into it," he added.

England also have concerns over loose forwards Nick Easter and Tom Wood (calf), while 2003 World Cup winner Mike Tindall who was captain against Ireland in Moody's absence and fellow back Mark Cueto both suffered hamstring problems on Saturday.

However, Johnson insisted: "We are fairly sure all the guys will be fit to train in the Argentina week. The Cueto, Mike Tindall injuries are fine, Tom Wood and Nick Easter we anticipate them to be fine to go at the end of the week."

Johnson, reflecting on a disrupted few days leading up into the Ireland match and the knocks that took place during the match itself, added: "It was like a mini World Cup in a week in terms of dealing with injuries and the team having to adapt. It was good.

"Obviously, you want them all fit but it doesn't always happen that way. Delon Armitage got on the wing for an hour, Tom Croft played seven (openside flank), Courtney Lawes played six (blindside flank). I thought in that way some good came out of it," he said.

Shaw was a late call-up to England's World Cup squad in 2003 but didn't get on the pitch. However, he was in the starting side that lost 15-6 to reigning champions South Africa in the World Cup Final in Paris four years ago.

AFP