Harlequins star in doubt for England after critical injury blow in Premiership opener
Alex Dombrandt is set for a spell on the sidelines
Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson has confirmed that England star Alex Dombrandt will be sidelined for up to four weeks through injury.
The newly appointed club captain was taken off early into the second-half of Quins’ season opener against Sale Sharks with a suspected hand injury and Wilson has confirmed he is set for a spell on the sidelines.
Alex Dombrandt ruled out
Speaking to the media ahead of his side’s clash with Newcastle Falcons, Wilson confirmed he has suffered a break on his hand.
“He has a small break in his hand,” he said. “He’ll probably be looking at a four-weeker in terms of an update.”
Dombrandt has been a mainstay in Harlequins’ side at number eight in recent seasons, however with him now set for some time away from the side they will need to find someone to replace him.
They do have some versatility in their current back-row options though. Players like Chandler Cunningham-South have spent time in the number eight position, and last week Jack Kenningham shifted across to replace the injured England star.
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Commenting on his option, Wilson said he will need to strike a balance in his back-row for the clash with Newcastle at the weekend.
“We’ve still got (options). Chandler Cunningham-South can play eight, James Chisholm can play eight, Jack Kenningham went into eight for that period, Tom Lawday can play eight, Archie White can play eight. We have other players who can play that position, it’s just about finding the right make-up of the back-row,” the Quins boss explained.
The back-rower’s injury means it will be a tight turnaround for him to prove his fitness ahead of England’s November internationals. Ben Earl started in the role during the tour of New Zealand while Dombrandt travelled with the team but failed to make an appearance in the matchday 23s.
Who will captain Quins?
Dombrandt’s absence also raises the question of who will be captain for their meeting with Falcons at the Stoop, with the former Cardiff Met student named club captain during the off-season.
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Commenting on this, Wilson said his side are blessed with leaders: “Once we announce our team, we’ll announce the captaincy. We’ve got a few good leaders in there that have been around for a long time, but it’ll be based on selection.”
Former skipper Stephan Lewies is the front-runner to take the title on again, despite only resigning from his post this off-season.
Danny Care and Marcus Smith available
Whilst Harlequins will be without a core member of their spine, they could see two familiar faces return to the starting XV this weekend.
Key half-backs Danny Care and Marcus Smith were both named on the bench for the clash against Sale Sharks following the duo’s shorter pre-seasons either through injury or rest, but Wilson confirmed they are both now available to start games.
“They’re both available for selection, and they’re now both available to play and start games,” he said.
“Their minutes have ticked up; well it’s not just minutes it’s more the pre-season build. Marcus had a little bit longer off, so it’s about building him up safely to return to rugby, which we’ve now done.”
