THOSE England players bruised by their beatings at the hands and feet of the Celts, the first such triple whammy since 1976, can only pray for a shorter casualty list than the one from 45 years ago.
A grand total of 12 players disappeared from the Test arena over the course of that barren Five Nations campaign never to be seen again. They included a trio of outstanding Lions – David Duckham, Andy Ripley and John Pullin.
Derek Wyatt, a tenth minute replacement for the injured Duckham at Murrayfield after England had lost their opening match 21-9 to Wales at Twickenham, suffered the unkind f...