ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Tom Croft discusses recall to England squad after injury layoff

BY Grant Constable  ·  Friday Jan 18, 2013

Returning England flanker Tom Croft admits his recall to the national squad after an eight-month injury layoff came as a shock – but his Six Nations participation remains in doubt. The Leicester Tigers ace suffered a broken neck following a mistimed tackle on former England team-mate Nick Easter during an Aviva Premiership clash against Harlequins last April.

After his recovery took longer than expected, the 27-year-old returned to action for the Tigers in a Premiership clash with Worcester Warriors at the start of January and he has now been named in Stuart Lancaster’s elite player squad for next month’s Six Nations campaign.

However, Croft insists he is only concentrating on getting more match action under his belt with his club, and revealed that if he features in England’s Six Nations campaign at all, it will only be during the very late stages.

“After eight months out with my neck injury, and only playing 50 minutes of rugby, it is quite a shock to be involved,” said Croft on his England recall.

“Obviously the back row is a highly contested area in English rugby so to be kept in the squad is massive, but I won’t be rushing back. I need to get the injury right first to make sure I am fit enough and at the right level to play for my country.

“I won’t be available for the first few games and I’m probably looking more at the back end, if at all. The most important thing is getting back playing for Leicester and getting back to how I was playing prior to injury.

“England is blessed with a lot of depth in the back row so those boys will be playing and if I regain any sort of form it is then up to the coaches to decide when to put me in.”

SSE has launched Rugby Energy, supporting community rugby clubs by giving them advice on saving money on their energy bills. To kick start 2013 SSE are offering clubs £10,000 worth of kit.

For your chance to WIN just register on www.SSERugby.com and find out how your club can start benefitting.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 37 WEEKS AGO

    Jamie Heaslip Exclusive: Respectfully...Ireland...

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

    Immanuel Feyi-Waboso replaced by Will Muir...

  • 39 WEEKS AGO

    Match Highlights: England A vs Portugal Rugby...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 6 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

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

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

View All

Amateur

  • 98 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 98 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 5 DAYS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

  • 1 WEEK AGO

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

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

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

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

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

View All