England is facing a serious injury crisis ahead of their World Cup opener against Argentina this Saturday.
Stand-in skipper Courtney Lawes, among others, is on the injury watchlist, and they’ve got just two training sessions to prove they’re fit for the showdown.
To make matters worse, England boss Steve Borthwick is already without Owen Farrell and Billy Vunipola due to suspensions. But that’s not the end of it; there are concerns about seven more players who might not make the cut.
Lawes, in particular, raised eyebrows when he skipped a pre-tournament welcome ceremony in Le Touquet, where the squad is training in northern France. Apparently, he was feeling “sore” after a training session in Le Touquet the day before, causing him to miss the hour-long ceremony where former England full-back Jonathan Webb handed out caps.
The injury bug has bitten hard elsewhere too. Elliot Daly and Tom Curry had to sit out the first training session due to ankle and knee issues, respectively. George Martin, a second-row player, was also MIA with a knee problem.
Meanwhile, Kyle Sinckler and Manu Tuilagi managed to get in some action, but they had to stick to modified training sessions.
And let’s not forget about Henry Arundell, who’s on the mend from a pesky back spasm. England’s got their work cut out for them to field a strong squad for the big clash.
JOIN THE RUCK:
The 100 best rugby players in the world:
With less than a fortnight remaining until the commencement of the Rugby World Cup, the rugby specialists at Telegraph Sport have collaboratively assessed and ranked the top 100 players globally.
Presented below is the comprehensive list, starting from the 100th spot and culminating at the first position.
100. Pierre Schoeman (Scotland)
99. Tommaso Menoncello (Italy)
98. Franco Mostert (South Africa)
97. Paul Alo-Emile (Samoa)
96. Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland)
95 Juan Martín González (Argentina)
94. Jasper Wiese (South Africa)
93. Damian Willemse (South Africa)
92. Mark Telea (New Zealand)
91. Faf de Klerk (South Africa)
90. Handré Pollard (South Africa)
89. James Lowe (Ireland)
88. Jamie Ritchie (Scotland)
87. Paul Willemse (France)
86. Shannon Frizell (New Zealand)
85. Freddie Steward (England)
They wrote: “The best England player to emerge in this four-year cycle, without question. Steward has come a long way from having to ditch a shift in Costa to turn out for Leicester in the Premiership Rugby Cup, to becoming England’s specialist diffuser under the high ball at full-back while hoovering up a number of awards. The potential is enormous, and he should thrive at his first World Cup.”
84. Thibaud Flament (France)
83. Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
82. Matthieu Jalibert (France)
81.. Jac Morgan (Wales)