Elliot Daly: England and Saracens centre ruled out for 12 weeks with hamstring injury

Adam Kyriacou
Six Nations England back Elliot Daly

England have been dealt a major setback to their backline stocks after the versatile Elliot Daly was ruled out for 12 weeks due to a hamstring injury.

Daly sustained the injury during Saracens’ defeat to Edinburgh in the Champions Cup last weekend, with the initial signs concerning for both club and country.

12 weeks out for Daly

Unfortunately for Saracens and England, the worst was confirmed on Friday when the Premiership outfit confirmed that he would be out for up to three months.

Daly had been in sparkling form of late for his club side and looked set to feature heavily under new England head coach Steve Borthwick in the 2023 Six Nations.

Daly is now also expected to be absent for Saracens’ pivotal Champions Cup round of 16 showdown against the Ospreys at StoneX Stadium on Sunday, April 2.

The 30-year-old, who could have filled the centre, wing or full-back positions, was replaced in the Red Rose squad on Tuesday by Bath centre Ollie Lawrence.

England kick off their Six Nations campaign on home soil against Scotland before they take on Italy at Twickenham on the following Sunday (February 12).

Following a week’s break, England travel to Wales on Saturday, February 25, before hosting France on March 11 and then finishing in Ireland on March 18.

Back duo set for action

The blow is cushioned somewhat for coach Borthwick in that both Anthony Watson and Henry Arundell are set for Premiership action with Leicester and London Irish, respectively.

Watson has been named in the Tigers’ starting line-up for their game against Northampton Saints, while Arundell is on the Exiles bench against Harlequins.

On Thursday, it was also confirmed that hooker Jamie George was back in the training camp but will continue following concussion protocols until next week.

George’s return to the Surrey base is welcome news to Borthwick after injuries to Luke Cowan-Dickie, and George McGuigan left the side light in the two shirt.

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