England endure double Rugby World Cup damage blow with Anthony Watson dominated out
Elliot Daly has additionally suffered a knee concern, however England are assured the Saracens star can be match to begin the World Cup.
Luckless wing Watson would have began in England’s first-choice XV, leaving England scrambling to rejig their 33-man squad for the fast-approaching event in France.
Gloucester’s Jonny May has been referred to as into the England ranks and can begin Saturday’s ultimate World Cup warm-up conflict, towards Fiji at Twickenham.
England will now face Argentina of their World Cup opener in Marseille on Saturday, September 9 within the midst of an rising damage and availability disaster.
Steve Borthwick’s aspect had already misplaced scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet for the entire event to an ankle damage, with Alex Mitchell drafted in.
England should additionally begin the event with out captain Owen Farrell and talismanic No 8 Billy Vunipola. Farrell will miss each the Argentina and Japan pool matches via suspension, with Vunipola absent solely for the Pumas conflict.
England will now be with out virtually a 3rd of their beginning XV for that essential World Cup opener towards Michael Cheika’s menacing Argentina aspect.
“Anthony Watson suffered an injury to his calf against Ireland that was then investigated,” mentioned England boss Borthwick.
“Anthony is not going to be able to play for a number of weeks, so unfortunately he will not be part of the 33 that will travel to France next week. We wish Anthony all the best in his recovery and hope to see him back fit and firing quickly.
“In the game against Ireland, Elliot Daly suffered an injury to his knee that we expect to leave him unavailable just for this weekend. We expect him to be fully fit at the start of the World Cup.”
England have misplaced two of their three World Cup warm-up matches, towards Wales in Cardiff and final weekend’s five-try, 29-10 defeat by Ireland in Dublin.
Head coach Borthwick’s aspect have additionally not scored a backline strive in 5 hours and 53 minutes. Wings Daly and Watson had been in prime type forcing their method again into not simply the England set-up however the beginning XV.
Daly had been surplus to necessities beneath Eddie Jones however Borthwick made the Saracens star certainly one of his most pivotal choices. England can be mightily relieved the previous Wasps star can nonetheless push to characteristic on the World Cup.
Watson had shaken off severe Achilles and knee issues that ravaged his final 18 months to work his method again into England’s strongest line-up.
So now England have been pressured into one other rethink. May went via England’s full preparations forward of the 33-man World Cup squad choice, and is now in pole place to exchange Watson on the World Cup.
“Jonny has trained exceptionally well,” mentioned Borthwick. “The World Cup 33 doesn’t have to be finalised until next week, so after this game next Saturday I will then be confirming exactly who will be going in that 33 next week.”
England have one other clutch of gamers battling to be absolutely slot in time for the World Cup.
“Henry Arundell suffered a freak back spasm in Ireland that has ruled him out of selection for Saturday,” mentioned Borthwick. “Tom Curry is still working back from an ankle injury. He wasn’t ready to go for the game this Saturday, but he’s very close to being back and fully fit and available.
“George Martin suffered a knee injury in the Wales game at Twickenham, he’s still unavailable for selection this weekend but his return is imminent.”