Bath issue update on Ollie Lawrence’s potential England ‘return date’
England’s Ollie Lawrence applauds the fans following the Rugby World Cup 2023 bronze final match at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France.
Bath have provided an injury update on England centre Ollie Lawrence after he withdrew from their Six Nations squad.
The powerful back cemented his place in the England squad last year and featured at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
The 24-year-old had been named in Steve Borthwick’s squad for the 2024 Six Nations but was replaced by clubmate Max Ojomoh after sustaining an injury in the Investec Champions Cup clash against Toulouse.
Ollie Lawrence update
Lawrence sustained a hip injury and while reports suggested that he would miss the entire Six Nations campaign, Bath confirmed that is not the case.
“Ollie Lawrence sustained a hip injury in Bath Rugby’s game against Stade Toulousain. He has seen a specialist, and we are working with England Rugby to establish his return date,” Bath’s statement read.
“We are working towards a return during this Six Nations campaign.”
In other injury news, the club added: “Ted Hill continues his rehabilitation following surgery in October. He is on course for a return in mid-March.”
The news is a boost to England’s centre stocks for the tournament, with uncapped Harlequins star Oscar Beard also withdrawing from the squad due to a concussion shortly after being called up.
Centre crisis
Lawrence was primed to start at inside centre during the Six Nations, particularly after Owen Farrell made himself unavailable for selection.
Borthwick does have options in the squad, but some are considered to be better suited to outside centre, including uncapped Northampton Saints star Fraser Dingwall and the experienced Henry Slade.
A groin injury has also sidelined Manu Tuilagi, but he too could return during the tournament.
“Manu will be fit, hopefully in the early part, so hopefully he’ll play a major part in the middle to latter part of the tournament,” Borthwick said after naming his squad.
Meanwhile, Nick Isiekwe was forced to return home from England’s Six Nations camp in Girona because of illness.
Bath’s Charlie Ewels has since taken his place in Borthwick’s 36-man squad for the tournament.
England kick off their Six Nations campaign against Italy in Rome on February 3.
READ MORE: Stuart Lancaster confident that Owen Farrell will change French ‘perception’ of him
