Injured Watson out of World Cup
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England winger Anthony Watson has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup after sustaining a calf injury in last weekend’s defeat against Ireland.
Watson, 29, who has four tries from the 2015 and 2019 World Cups where he featured, has been replaced by Jonny May in the squad, with May starting in this Saturday’s clash against Fiji.
It is the second time England have had to make an alteration to their initial 33-man squad, after Jack Van Poortvliet was replaced by Alex Mitchell a fortnight ago.
With other back three players Henry Arundell (back spasm) and Elliot Daly (knee problem) both rumoured to be struggling to return to fitness in time for the World Cup, the end of England’s injury problems may not yet be behind them.
“In the game against Ireland, Anthony Watson suffered an injury to his calf which means he can’t play for a number of weeks,” England head coach Steve Borthwick said.
“As such he will not be part of the 33 that travels to France next week. We’re all really disappointed for him.”
It is a hammer-blow for Watson, who overcame a serious achilles injury to narrowly make the last World Cup and a rupture to his anterior cruciate ligament in this World Cup cycle to become a starter in time for the main event.
It also marks another blow to England’s chaotic preparation for the World Cup which has seen two convincing away defeats to Wales and Ireland and only one victory, in a game where captain Owen Farrell was sent off and received a suspension earlier this week.
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