England’s worrying injury list ahead of Nations Championship as Steve Borthwick sweats over key men
Steve Borthwick (right) is facing a number of injury issues ahead of the summer tour.
England head coach Steve Borthwick is facing a number of concerning injury blows ahead of the Nations Championship, with as many as 12 players either sidelined or nursing knocks.
Last week, England held a three-day alignment camp ahead of their July Tests against the Springboks, Fiji and Argentina, spread across three continents, but a number of players were either already confirmed as unavailable or not considered for selection due to injuries.
These will leave Borthwick sweating ahead of a crucial block, too, with England also coming into the July campaign off the back of their worst-ever Six Nations with just one win from five Tests.
England’s injury concerns ahead of Nations Championship
Tighthead Will Stuart was already ruled out of the summer tour following an Achilles injury back in December, but he is not the only long-term issue Borthwick is dealing with. Trevor Davison, Bevan Rodd, Will Muir, Ben Curry and Elliot Daly were all not considered for selection ahead of the camp as a result of respective knee, shoulder, hamstring and arm issues, and look set to miss the rest of the current PREM Rugby season too.
Harlequins prop Fin Baxter is also confirmed to be out of the summer tour, with the loosehead set for another operation on a foot injury sustained back in December. He was initially expected to be fit this month, but the surgery will see him sidelined until the start of next season. Baxter also previously missed the Six Nations campaign.
In the wake of the three-day camp at Pennyhill Park, it has since emerged that Alex Mitchell suffered a hamstring injury and will now also miss the rest of the PREM Rugby run-in.
“He’s pulled it, and he’s done a decent job on it,” said Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson.
“It’s going to be a push to get him any rugby for us this season, but I don’t know about England’s timelines.”
Freddie Steward is also a possible injury concern after undergoing a thumb operation in the wake of Leicester Tigers’ PREM win over Sale Sharks, but he is not expected to be out for too long.
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“Fred sustained a thumb injury at the end of the Sale game that has unfortunately required surgery,” said Tigers head coach Geoff Parling. “We’re hopeful he’ll be back before the season’s end.”
The full-back was, however, included in the 42-man squad last week.
Maro Itoje and Ben Spencer could be rested this summer, with Borthwick revealing both players left last week’s three-day training camp early.
“I’ll make decisions when the time) comes to announce the squad,” the head coach told reporters last week.
“Maro was in camp yesterday, and, as agreed, went home last night. Ben Spencer also came in yesterday and went home last night. We treat players individually and that’s what was right for those players.”
The pair are not currently injured.
But, in welcome news, George Martin and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso are all back in the picture again following lengthy spells away from the pitch with respective calf, shoulder and hamstring issues that ruled them out of the Six Nations.
Luke Cowan-Dickie is also nearing a return to fitness, after he was brought into England camp last week to continue his rehab on an arm injury.
Elsewhere, Greg Fisilau and Sam Underhill were also not considered for the alignment camp as a result of injuries, but have since made their respective returns for Exeter and Bath.
Tom Curry also suffered concussion symptoms following training with England, but is expected back this weekend.
England injury list in full
Rehabilitation: Luke Cowan-Dickie (arm)
Long-term issues: Fin Baxter (foot), Bevan Rodd (shoulder), Will Stuart (Achilles), Trevor Davison (knee), Billy Searle (hamstring), Will Muir (shoulder), Ben Curry (hamstring) Elliot Daly (arm) and Alex Mitchell (hamstring)
Concerns: Freddie Steward (thumb)
Possible rest: Maro Itoje and Ben Spencer
Recent returners: Tom Curry, George Martin, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Greg Fisilau and Sam Underhill
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