With the 2023 Rugby World Cup fast approaching, international stars across the globe are putting their best foots forward to ensure they make the squad for France.
However, untimely injuries and changes to eligibility, sees these five players are serious doubts for rugby's pinnacle competition.
CARDIFF, WALES - OCTOBER 11: Jonathan Sexton of Ireland looks dejected leaves the field injured during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D match between France and Ireland at Millennium Stadium on October 11, 2015 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
An honourable mention must go to Ireland's talisman Johnny Sexton. The 37-year-old suffered a groin injury in Ireland's 2023 Six Nations crunch match against France, and was side-lined for their following victory over Italy. The fly-half returned to lead his side to Grand Slam glory over England, yet re-aggravated and worsened the injury in the process. Sexton looked doubtful for the Rugby World Cup, as it was announced he would require surgery on the injury.
Sexton's lifelong Leinster career came to an abrupt end, as the Dubliner was ruled out of the remainder of his side's United Rugby Championship and Heineken Champions Cup campaigns. However, today Sexton gave Ireland fans positive news of his return, ensuring them that he will be back at some stage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Ireland are amongst the favourites to bring the Web Ellis trophy home, and aim to do so for the first time in their history.
Thankfully, Sexton has his sights set on a 2023 Rugby World Cup appearance, but less can unfortunately be said for these five players. Here are five international stars that are looking likley to miss the showdown event in France.
- Jonny Gray - Scotland
Jonny Gray of Exeter Chiefs during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bristol Bears and Exeter Chiefs at Ashton Gate on 23 Apr. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
The towering lock sees his Rugby World Cup contention hang in the balance, after suffering an unfortunately timed knee injury last Sunday. Gray suffered a dislocated knee, whilst playing for Exeter Chiefs in his side's Heineken Champions Cup semi-final defeat to La Rochelle.
Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter highlighted how this is a bad scenario for the lock's Scotland hopes.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Jonny Gray of Scotland is tackled by Ben McCalman of Australia during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Quarter Final match between Australia and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium on October 18, 2015 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
“It’s relatively serious without being the worst it could be. From what I’ve been told, unless the operation goes exceptionally well and his recovery is exceptionally quick, I would say he is very doubtful for the World Cup"
“It’s a patella tendon injury; he’s dislocated his kneecap." Baxter added, confirming the extent of the injury.
(Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
“Fortunately, the other major ligaments within the knee are all stable,” he said. It’s a relatively complex patella tendon injury, which is going to require surgery this week, and there’s a relatively long period of rehab. We are hopeful to have him back fairly early next season, especially with the Premiership starting late next year with the World Cup first.”
2. Billy Vunipola - England
Billy Vunipola of Saracens on the break during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final Match between Leicester Tigers and Saracens at Twickenham Stadium on 18 June 2022. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Despite having not featured in Steve Borthwick's plans since the former Leicester Tigers Head Coach took the reigns with England, Billy Vunipola is always a worthwhile asset for a squad to have during a long competition. However, the Saracen's chances of an England return wore ever thinner after he suffered a knee injury in mid-April. In an eerily similar style to that of Jonny Gray, Vunipola was stretchered off the pitch, as he came down hard on his knee against La Rochelle, in the Heineken Champions Cup.
Vunipola has been confirmed to be written out of Mark McCall's plans for the rest of Saracens' season, with the powerhouse number-eight set to miss the 2023 Gallagher Premiership Play-Offs. It was a sorry sight for Sarries fans, as their back-rower was forced into an early exit, during the first half of Saracens quarter-final defeat to the French flyers.
Billy Vunipola of England in possession ahead of Kazuki Himeno of Japan during the Autumn International Series match between England and Japan at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 12th November 2022 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
Thankfully for Vunipola, it has been reported that after undergoing surgery, he should be fit ahead of the Rugby World Cup. However, given Borthwick's early tendency to overlook the Number Eight, and an extended time on the side-line hindering Vunipola's match-fitness, it is becoming increasingly unlikely for Billy to make a Rugby World Cup return. Yet as we know, injuries can happen at any time, and a Vunipola-sized reinforcement could well bolster a depleting squad in the latter stage of the competition.
3. Siya Kolisi - South Africa
Siya Kolisi, Captain of South Africa during the Autumn Nations International Series match between England and South Africa at Twickenham, London on 26 November 2022 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
It was a brutal blow for the Springboks, when it was announced that their 2019 Rugby World Cup winning captain Siya Kolisi had injured his ACL ligament just months ahead of the tournament. Kolisi partially tore the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee, during the Cell C Sharks 22-22 draw against Munster, in last month's United Rugby Championship match.
The Springboks have stated that it is 'too early' to tell, if the back-rower will be making his return at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and they are moinitoring every move Kolisi is making ahead of the competition. Keeping in good spirits, the 31-year-old posted on his social media account; "The hard work starts now", and has lifted the hopes of his supporters and teammates.
4 & 5. Joe Hawkins and Leon Brown - Wales
Warren Gatland has two potential absentees to consider, ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. One is looking to be far more confirmed than the other, as promising breakout centre Joe Hawkins has been confirmed as ineligible for the current Wales squad. Leon Brown has been hit with an injury blow, with the Dragons prop set to undergo a scan on his neck and shoulder. The 26-year-old was forced off in the first half against Ulster, in just his third United Rugby Championship match that season.
Hawkins' current predicament comes after the WRU's contract negotiation saga added fresh implications for overseas based Wales hopefuls. Hawkins has recently confirmed his move from Ospreys to Exeter Chiefs, and in doing so takes him out of contention for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
As Hawkins has less than 25 Welsh caps, he can not represent his country, if he is not contracted to a Welsh province. This comes as a devastating blow to the exciting centre, who started four out of the five matches in the 2023 Guinness Six Nations, and had begun to establish his hold in the squad, with five total caps. Controversially, if Hawkins was uncapped by Wales and playing internationally, he would be eligible for the upcoming Wales squad.
