Wing Anthony Watson is to miss titleholders England’s opening Six Nations match with France next Saturday because of a hamstring injury, the Grand Slam winners coach Eddie Jones revealed yesterday.
The initial prognosis is that the 22-year-old Bath star — who suffered the injury in a squad training camp in Portugal — will be on the sidelines for up to a month which definitely also rules him out of their following game on Saturday week in Cardiff against Wales and perhaps the game with Italy on February 26.
“It’s disappointing news for Anthony and for England, but we know he’ll rehab diligently to get himself right to go as soon as he can,” commented Jones. “We’re confident he’ll be in the mix later in the championship.”
It’s a further blow to Watson, who missed England’s November international programme with a broken jaw after a starring role in their Six Nations Grand Slam success where he scored in tries in three matches, as he was on course for a starting position.
Watson’s place in the starting line-up could go to Jonny May of Gloucester, with Marland Yarde and Jack Nowell competing for England’s other wing position. England have a number of injury problems heading into the Six Nations, with their back row in particular set to have a new look.
Former captain Chris Robshaw is set to miss the entire tournament after undergoing shoulder surgery, while fellow loose forward Billy Vunipola will miss at least the opening rounds with a knee injury. Meanwhile experienced back row James Haskell is struggling to overcome the lingering effects of a foot injury.
Vunipola’s brother prop Mako is also out but fortunately for Jones his understudy Joe Marler has made a remarkable recovery from a fracture to his lower left leg. Injury-prone centre Manu Tuilagi will play no part owing to a season-ending groin injury.
England are on a 14-Test winning streak, 13 of those victories coming since Australian coach Eddie Jones took over after their 2015 World Cup debacle on home soil. They are set to be captained once again by Dylan Hartley. The France match will be the Northampton hooker’s first competitive fixture since he served a six-week ban for striking Leinster’s Sean O’Brien.
Le Roux gets
France call-up
France yesterday called up backrow Bernard Le Roux to replace injured Raphael Lakafia in the squad for the Six Nations opener against England.
The 27-year-old Le Roux has 24 caps for Les Bleus since 2013. He made his return after a four month lay-off for his club Racing 92 against Lyon in the French Top 14 on Saturday. France face defending Grand Slam champions England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Anthony Watson suffered an hamstring injury during a training camp in Portugal and is out for a month.
