ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

England suffer double injury blow as Sale thump Northampton

BY Grant Constable  ·  Tuesday Sep 29, 2020

England suffered a potentially devastating double injury blow as Manu Tuilagi and Courtney Lawes limped off in Sale’s 34-14 Gallagher Premiership victory at Northampton.

ADVERTISEMENT

Lawes departed in the ninth minute after falling awkwardly when challenging Tom Curry for a high ball, the Saints second row catching his right ankle in the turf as his body twisted on landing.

Soon after, Tuilagi followed him off the pitch having taken a bang to what appeared to be his left Achilles during a bulldozing carry out of defence when Sale were pinned in their own 22.

Both players were in obvious discomfort and had to be helped off before taking their places in the stands with strapping fastened on to the affected areas in alarming scenes at Franklin’s Gardens.

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.

Tuilagi and Lawes would be fully involved throughout the campaign and their absence would be a major setback to Jones as he targets the win in Rome on October 31 that might deliver the Six Nations title.

ADVERTISEMENT

Steve Diamond admitted “it doesn’t look good” when questioned about the damage to Tuilagi’s left leg and it was the only stain on an otherwise pleasing evening for the Sale boss as his team departed the Midlands with a bonus-point win.

It keeps the Sharks in contention for a top-four finish with one round of the regular Premiership season left, while Northampton are left nursing a seventh consecutive home defeat as their freefall continues unchecked.

Related Articles

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Gray to exit Exeter Chiefs with immediate...

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    Former Connacht hooker shares brilliant rugby...

  • 29 WEEKS AGO

    Official calls halt to play amidst double-call...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Huge guillotine tackle divides fans in viral footage

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 96 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 119 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 120 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Should Steve Borthwick have brought on George Ford? Or trusted in Marcus Smith?

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Louis Rees-Zammit opens up about his biggest shock in chasing NFL dream

View All