Steve Borthwick 'gutted' as England star suffers season ending injury

Stuart was forced off early in the second half of Bath’s Champions Cup victory over Munster on Saturday, with the injury quickly described as “very serious”.

“He'll get operated on somewhere in the next few weeks and unfortunately with an Achilles there's a long road ahead,” Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan told BBC Radio Somerset.

“Every injury is different, but for a prop just think about the amount of load that goes through your legs.”

England head coach Steve Borthwick is reportedly ‘gutted’ by the news. Stuart featured from the bench during England’s autumn wins over Australia, New Zealand and Argentina and is one of 25 players on Elite Player contracts for the 2025–26 season.

The tight-head has won 53 England caps and was also called up to the British and Irish Lions squad for the first time this summer, playing in all three Test matches during the series victory in Australia.

At club level, Stuart was a key component of Bath’s Premiership title success last season and has made five appearances in all competitions so far this campaign.

Van Graan admitted the injury was “gutting” for the prop.

“Injuries are part and parcel of the game but once it's an Achilles or an ACL [anterior cruciate ligament] or a neck - big injuries that take people away from the game for a long time - that's never nice to see,” he said.

“Gutting really, he's such a big part of what we do and what we've achieved. The positive out of that is he's got an amazing group of staff and players and family around him and we'll go through that journey with him every step of the way.”

Each of the six pools featured a team from Bands 1, 2, 3 and 4.

The confirmed Bands based on rankings were:

Band 1: South Africa, New Zealand, England, Ireland, France, Argentina
Band 2: Australia, Fiji, Scotland, Italy, Wales, Japan
Band 3: Georgia, Uruguay, Spain, USA, Chile, Tonga
Band 4: Samoa, Portugal, Romania, Hong Kong China, Zimbabwe, Canada

New Zealand – Perennial contenders with flair, power and unmatched rugby IQ.
Australia – Unpredictable but dangerous, capable of brilliance on their day.
Chile – Fast-improving newcomers bringing passion and fearless physicality.
Hong Kong China – Skillful, energetic, and eager to prove themselves on the global stage.

South Africa – Brutal, relentless, and brutally efficient—never count them out.
Italy – Developing rapidly, mixing strong set-piece work with expanding ambition.
Georgia – Scrum specialists with raw forward strength and growing all-round polish.
Romania – Proud and powerful, known for toughness and unwavering fight.

Argentina – Dynamic, crafty, and fiercely competitive with a never-say-die spirit.
Fiji – Magical offloads, searing pace, and unique unpredictability.
Spain – Determined climbers building consistency and confidence every year.
Canada – Physical and committed, working to regain their traditional sharpness.

Ireland – Well-drilled, intelligent, and ruthlessly efficient across the park.
Scotland – Creative attackers with growing confidence and slick backline play.
Uruguay – Tenacious, organized, and fearless against bigger rugby nations.
Portugal – Exciting, fast-paced, and thriving with a young, fearless core.

France – Electric, unpredictable, and capable of brilliance from anywhere.
Japan – High-tempo, disciplined, and tactically sharp—they never stop moving.
USA – Athletic and physical, with a growing pool of exciting talent.
Samoa – Bone-shaking tackles, powerful runners, and trademark island flair.

England – Structured, strategic, and capable of grinding down any opponent.
Wales – Proud, passionate, and dangerous when the momentum swings their way.
Tonga – Heavy hitters with explosive power and fearless intensity.
Zimbabwe – Energetic and ambitious, bringing speed and spirit to every contest.

From jaw-dropping tries to unforgettable moments (and yes, some questionable haircuts), these players defined a golden era of the game. If their names don’t instantly come to mind, we suggest a quick trip to YouTube to jog your memory. Trust us, it’s worth it.

Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s see if you’ve still got it. Good luck!