Injuries dampen Anglo-Welsh trio

Talismanic number-eight Xavier Rush will miss Cardiff Blues' Heineken Cup opener away to Calvisano after failing to recover from knee surgery.

Talismanic number-eight Xavier Rush will miss Cardiff Blues' Heineken Cup opener away to Calvisano after failing to recover from knee surgery.

The Blues captain's injury reacted after playing just 40 minutes of rugby this season against Connacht in the Magners League with coach Dai Young admitting the worst ahead of this weekend's trip.

“His injury is a big blow. He is a vital player for us for us but his knee flared-up after the Connacht game,” Young said.

“We now hope that Xavier will be back for our game with Gloucester at the Arms Park the weekend after next.”

Meanwhile, Spanish wing Oriol Ripol has joined Sale's growing injury list after breaking his arm during Saturday's last-minute defeat to the Blues.

Ripol faces a long spell on the sidelines after leaving the field in the dying seconds of the game.

He is the third Sale man to suffer serious injury in the past week, with hooker Sebastien Bruno (ruptured bicep) and lock Sean Cox (dislocated kneecap) both hurt against London Irish on Wednesday.

“We've lost three players for a few months – Cox, Bruno and Ripol – so it's been a bad four days,” said Director of Rugby Phillipe Saint-Andre.

In European Challenge Cup news, Saracens have been dealt an injury blow with the news that Richard Haughton has been ruled out for twelve weeks after suffering a broken metatarsal in last week's game against Bristol.

Full-back Haughton limped from the field midway through the game at the Memorial Stadium after having his foot trodden on in a ruck and subsequent scans have revealed the injury which is likely to keep him out until Christmas.

The 27-year-old was looking forward to continuing his fine form that led to him picking up the club's Player of the Year Award in 2008, but he now faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.