England hopeful sees Test hopes shattered ahead of Americas tour

England hopeful Greg Fisilau is all but ruled out of the upcoming tour to the Americas, with the number eight set for a 12-week lay-off. 

The back-rower was in red-hot form prior to his injury and was a leading contender to feature in Steve Borthwick’s back-row this summer as England take on Argentina and the USA.

Greg Fisilau’s Test hopes shattered after injury prognosis

Fisilau, who made his Chiefs debut in the 2022/23 season and has since made over 40 appearances, has previously been invited into Borthwick’s senior training squads and impressed on England A duty in the past, but is yet to win his first senior cap.

And, it seems that wait is set to continue with the Chiefs confirming he is set to undergo surgery on a shoulder injury picked up in their mammoth 79-17 defeat to Gloucester.

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“Back rower Fisilau was assessed by the Chiefs medical team following last Sunday’s fixture and it has been determined that he will need to undergo shoulder surgery,” a club statement read.

“The rehabilitation process will last approximately 12 weeks.”

His form this season has been one of the bright sparks in a dark season for the Chiefs, and that earned him high praise from former head coach Rob Hunter – who was suspended from his role on Monday following the loss – who previously it’s a ‘when not if’ scenario regarding his first Test cap.

“I think he plays well enough most weeks to be on that tour,” said Hunter. “Obviously, he has to fit in with what Steve Borthwick wants, but I’m sure he will. They seem to be in regular contact, we know they’ll be watching him and he’s been along. Everyone knows he’s a good player.”

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“He’s probably a bit different to what they’ve got (in the back-row), he’s great on the ball and is a very natural rugby player. I’m sure at some point they’ll get to him. He is still a young lad, so at what point they introduce him, I don’t know, but it’s a when not if scenario for Greg.”

Exeter injury woes continue

He isn’t alone either, with Joe Hawkins, Ben Hammersley and Max Norey all picking up injuries in the Kingsholm humiliation.

Welsh international Hawkins, who is headed to the Scarlets come the end of the season, picked up an ankle injury in the defeat and will be out for four weeks, while winger Hammersley picked up a knee injury and is set for eight weeks on the sidelines.

Hooker Norey will go under the knife on a shoulder injury too, and is set to be out for 16 weeks.

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