England's Double Injury Headache
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England have been given major injury concerns after both Manu Tuilagi and Courtney Lawes limped off in the opening quarter of Sale Shark’s 14-34 win at Franklin's Gardens.
Sale boss Steve Diamond revealed that Tuilagi may face a significant spell on the sidelines after damaging his Achilles during a muscular carry.
"Somebody landed on it. We'll be assessing it overnight. I don't think it's clever. I don't think it's the best," Diamond said.
"Manu has settled in so well. We were having a bit of crack this week about how he's never played so many games, maybe that was a jinx.
"Whatever it takes to get Manu back, we'll do it, however long it takes. We'll comfort him over the next month or two and chat about a long-term career with us. We're delighted about what he's done for us so far."
🦈 Manu Tuilagi - Achilles 🤕
😇 Courtney Lawes - Knee 🤕
"I'm sure Eddie Jones won't be having the easiest of sleeps tonight."
🌹 Concern for two England stars ahead of the Autumn Internationals and beyond... pic.twitter.com/oq7NpuJiR2
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) September 29, 2020
"Courtney has an ankle injury and it looks pretty ginger. I wouldn't be overly hopeful of a fast return – he sustained a fairly heavy blow," Northampton director of rugby Chris Boyd said.
"He'll get a scan. It's unfortunate for Courtney and maybe in the short term unfortunate for England."
England head coach Eddie Jones is due on Monday to announce a preliminary squad for fixtures against the Barbarians and Italy that take place at the end of next month as the prelude to the Autumn Nations Cup.
