England star sees his Lions hopes ruined after fresh injury setback - Ruck

England star sees his Lions hopes ruined after fresh injury setback

Jack Nowell’s hopes of touring once again with the British & Irish Lions look all but over after he suffered another ‘significant setback’.

The 27-year-old, who was selected for the tour of New Zealand in 2017, hasn’t featured for club or country since the Gallagher Premiership final back in October.

After recovering from extensive toe surgery, it’s now been reported that he has picked up a calf injury in training which is unrelated to the previous injury.

Baxter confirmed to Devon Live: “Unfortunately Jack has had another issue as he has got back into full training so I think it is going to be a little while before we see Jack.

“We kind of held him back for a week to give him a couple of weeks of full training and unfortunately later on in the second week it was just one of those things he pulled up with another injury and now we are going to have to wait a little while longer to get him back to full fitness.”

Baxter continued: “He is a guy who loves playing rugby, loves training and getting on with things and obviously he has got some concerns that this probably means he won’t play international rugby this year and there is a British and Irish Lions tour at the end of this season he is desperate to be involved with.

“He is very aware of those things.

LIST: 5 other potential Lions who could miss the tour through injury

1. Jack Willis (England)

The flanker suffered extensive knee damage against Italy that is expected to end both his season and his dreams of playing for the British & Irish Lions in the summer. Willis’ left leg buckled awkwardly after Sebastian Negri pulled him out of a ruck, leaving the Wasps back row crying out in pain.

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