The first weekend of Six Nations 2013 has come and gone with two of the results as expected by many as Ireland and England claimed victories over Wales and Scotland respectively. The final match of the weekend saw Italy score what was seen as a surprise victory over France in Rome.
The intensity of the games took their toll though with various injuries incurred by the teams. We bring some of the news from the various squads regarding the injuries and player availability.
England
Starting on a positive note for England is the news that macro centre Manu Tuilagi who missed the game against Scotland has been declared fit for Sunday’s Six Nations clash in Ireland. However, the superb debut his replacement Billy Twelvetrees leaves coach Lancaster with a tough choice to make.
Surely Twelvetrees can’t be dropped after that performance, so will Tuilagi make his return for the game against Ireland at the expense of Brad Barritt. In the end it may be best for Tuilago to be eased back into the action from the bench.
Eighthman Ben Morgan was still wearing a boot for treatment to the ankle he injured on Saturday and seems likely to miss out against Ireland.
Should Morgan not be fit in time then it seems as if Lancaster will go into that game with Tom Wood, who normally plays as a flanker, as number eight and James Haskell at number six.
Loosehead prop Alex Corbisiero didn’t play last weekend and is out for the duration of the Six Nations with a knee injury.
France
The French captain Pascal Pape left the field during the second half of France’s game against Italy on Sunday with a lower back injury. It has since been diagnosed as sciatica although there has been no public indication as to how long Pape will be out of action other than that he won’t be facing Wales this weekend.
Pape’s replacement is a Toulon player.
Winger Vincent Clerc had missed France’s opening game due to a thigh injury and will still be missing from this weekend’s line up as he has not yet recovered from that injury.
Ireland
Numerous players picked up what have been classed as minor injuries at the Millenium Stadium.
Centre Keith Earls picked up a shoulder injury and is due to see a specialist about it this week after suffering a shoulder injury. Gordon D’Arcy had been replaced by Keith Earls due to a dead leg is said to be recovering well and should return to training later this week.
D’Arcy’s starting centre partner Brian O’Driscoll needed stitches for a head wound but will also be available to train and take his place in the team this weekend.
Full back Rob Kearney has undergone a precautionary scan after reporting some stiffness in his back after the game. However, the scan has revealed no injury which means Kearney will also make training this week.
Flanker Peter O’Mahony took a bang to the head but apparently showed no ill effects after the game and will follow the necessary return to play protocols this week. It is expected that he should be ready to be selected if required against England.
Prop Mike Ross will also join up with the squad in training this week in spite of leaving the field during the game suffering from severe cramp.
Italy
Following their bruising encounter with France one would expect the Italy squad to have various injuries, even if only minor knocks and bruises. However, it has proved difficult to find out about these if any.
Scotland
Scotland flanker Alasdair Strokosch left the field early in the game against England after taking a knock to the face. He is due to consult with a specialist surgeon in Edinburgh today on what looks to be a fracture to the area around the eye. It would be a surprise though if he was given the all clear to face Italy and he may well even be on the sidelines for the rest of the Championship.
Hooker Dougie Hall will be worked on by physiotherapists following the knee injury he picked up. David Dention and John Beattie will also spend time on the physio’s table for treatment on knee and ankle injuries respectively.
Centre Peter Horne who missed the last game after being ruled out quite late on due to a thumb injury will join up with the Scotland camp again.
Eight players have been added to Scotland squad from the Scotland A squad that successfully did duty against England Saxons at Newcastle on Friday: Jon Welsh and Alasdair Dickinson (both props), Steve Lawrie (hooker), Richie Vernon (loose forward), Sean Kennedy (scrum half), Tom Heathcote (flyhalf) and Nikki Walker and Duncan Taylor (both wings).
Scotland A captain and eighthman Ryan Wilson and team mate, full-back, Greig Tonks both had very good games against the Saxons. However, they picked up shoulder and ankle injuries respectively, and are being monitored.
Wales
The Welsh trio of Aaron Shingler, Ryan Jones and Rchard Hibbard have been declared fit for Wales’ journey to Paris this weekend. Jones and Hibbard missed out last weekend due to thumb and shoulder injuries while Shingler hurt a rib against Ireland.
The young uncapped winger Eli Walker is not as fortunate as the trio as he should miss out on selection as he is still struggling with a hamstring strain.
Wales are due to still be without various other players due to injury, some of which may make their return during the next few weeks while others will miss out completely on this year’s Six Nations Championship.
The players still out due to injury (courtesy of bbc):
- Ashley Beck (centre, ankle) – will miss first two Six Nations games
- Huw Bennett (hooker) – targeting return in February
- Luke Charteris (lock) – out for the season
- Bradley Davies (lock) – unlikely to feature in Six Nations
- Aaron Jarvis (prop) – out for the season
- Alun Wyn Jones (lock) – missed start of Six Nations
- Dan Lydiate (flanker, ankle) – set to return during February
- Rhys Priestland (fly-half, Achilles tendon) – out for the season