'Bungee not to blame for Nick Easter injury'

England today denied Nick Easter's worrying back injury was the result of the 134metre bungee jump he made during a day of extreme sports for the squad last week.

The Harlequins No8 missed training again as England prepared for Saturday's clash with Romania. The management are so concerned they have asked Leicester's Thomas Waldrom to fly to New Zealand in case the experienced forward has to leave the tournament.

An England spokesman attempted to quash suggestions that the bungee jump in Queenstown eight days ago had triggered the back trouble.

"It wasn't caused by the jump," he said. "Nick was able to train the next day after he jumped and the problem only flared up on Friday, forcing him out of the Georgia match on Sunday."

Easter has pointed to a change of beds as the source of his current problem, stating that the harder Queenstown bed was good but since moving back to their Dunedin hotel a softer bed has caused him pain.

Injuries meant Ben Foden (side), Matt Stevens (ankle), Alex Corbisiero (calf) and Louis Deacon (back) also sat out training today.

Italy captain Sergio Parisse was inspirational for his side as they beat Russia 53-17 in Pool C at Trafalgar Park, Nelson today.

The No8 got the opening try and set up two others in the first half as Italy ran in nine tries and passed 50 points for the first time in a World Cup game.