England vs New Zealand: Eddie Jones delivers injury update on Tom Curry, Manu Tuilagi and Courtney Lawes
Tom Curry looks set to miss this Saturday’s autumn international against New Zealand after being taken to hospital for a scan on his injured ankle, but Eddie Jones said that he “cautiously optimistic” that both Manu Tuilagi and Courtney Lawes will be fit to return.
Curry left Twickenham on Saturday night on crutches after injuring his left ankle in during the 12-11 victory over South Africa, and the Sale Sharks flanker was still unable walk unaided on Monday as he appeared at England’s Pennyhill Park training camp with his foot in a protective boot.
Jones confirmed that the 20-year-old was being taken to hospital for a scan, and while he is not yet ruled out of Saturday’s clash with the All Blacks, the outlook doesn’t look good.
“Tom Curry is off to see the doctor so we’ll know more about him today but we’re sadly pessimistic about his chances,” Jones said on Monday.
England vs South Africa player ratings
1/30 Alec Hepburn – 5 out of 10
2/30 Dylan Hartley – 7 out of 10
3/30 Kyle Sinckler – 6 out of 10
4/30 Maro Itoje – 6 out of 10
5/30 George Kruis – 7 out of 10
6/30 Brad Shields – 7 out of 10
7/30 Tom Curry – 6 out of 10.
8/30 Mark Wilson – 8 out of 10
9/30 Ben Youngs – 6 out of 10
10/30 Owen Farrell – 8 out of 10
11/30 Jonny May – 6 out of 10
12/30 Ben Te’o – 7 out of 10
13/30 Henry Slade – 6 out of 10
14/30 Jack Nowell – 6 out of 10
15/30 Elliot Daly – 5 out of 10
16/30 <b>South Africa:</b> Steven Kitschoff – 7 out of 10
17/30 Malcolm Marx – 4 out of 10
18/30 Frans Malherbe – 6 out of 10
19/30 Eben Etzebeth – 5 out of 10
20/30 Pieter-Steph du Toit – 6 out of 10
21/30 Siya Kolisi – 6 out of 10
22/30 Duane Vermeulen – 6 out of 10
23/30 Warren Whiteley – 6 out of 10
24/30 Ivan van Zyl – 6 out of 10
25/30 Handre Pollard – 7 out of 10
26/30 Aphiwe Dyantyi – 6 out of 10
27/30 Damian de Allende – 6 out of 10
28/30 Jesse Kriel – 6 out of 10
29/30 Sbu Nkosi – 7 out of 10
30/30 Damian Willemse – 6 out of 10
1/30 Alec Hepburn – 5 out of 10
2/30 Dylan Hartley – 7 out of 10
3/30 Kyle Sinckler – 6 out of 10
4/30 Maro Itoje – 6 out of 10
5/30 George Kruis – 7 out of 10
6/30 Brad Shields – 7 out of 10
7/30 Tom Curry – 6 out of 10.
8/30 Mark Wilson – 8 out of 10
9/30 Ben Youngs – 6 out of 10
10/30 Owen Farrell – 8 out of 10
11/30 Jonny May – 6 out of 10
12/30 Ben Te’o – 7 out of 10
13/30 Henry Slade – 6 out of 10
14/30 Jack Nowell – 6 out of 10
15/30 Elliot Daly – 5 out of 10
16/30 <b>South Africa:</b> Steven Kitschoff – 7 out of 10
17/30 Malcolm Marx – 4 out of 10
18/30 Frans Malherbe – 6 out of 10
19/30 Eben Etzebeth – 5 out of 10
20/30 Pieter-Steph du Toit – 6 out of 10
21/30 Siya Kolisi – 6 out of 10
22/30 Duane Vermeulen – 6 out of 10
23/30 Warren Whiteley – 6 out of 10
24/30 Ivan van Zyl – 6 out of 10
25/30 Handre Pollard – 7 out of 10
26/30 Aphiwe Dyantyi – 6 out of 10
27/30 Damian de Allende – 6 out of 10
28/30 Jesse Kriel – 6 out of 10
29/30 Sbu Nkosi – 7 out of 10
30/30 Damian Willemse – 6 out of 10
There was at least a positive update on Tuilagi and Lawes, who were forced to miss the win over the Springboks due to minor injuries they suffered last week.
Tuilagi was withdrawn from the squad last Friday having been due to be among the replacements, with the Leicester Tigers centre suffering a minor groin strain during training last Thursday.
Lawes meanwhile came into the Portugal training camp two weeks ago struggling with a back injury that ruled him out of selection, although the lock has been monitored throughout the last week after remaining with the national team.
“Manu is back and progressing well – we’re cautiously optimistic he’ll be available this week, the same with Courtney Lawes,” Jones added.
There is also a slight concern over fly-half Owen Farrell due to the hip injury he suffered when tackled by Springbok replacement Andre Esterhuizen at the weekend. The pair were centre of the game’s biggest moment of controversy as Farrell returned fire with the final play of the match, hitting Esterhuizen with a powerful tackle that resulted in a turnover and England winning the match.
Farrell avoided any action over the apparent shoulder charge, with referee Angus Gardner and TMO Olly Hodges deciding at the time that he had made enough of an effort to wrap his arm in the tackle, and with no citings coming from the Test he is free to prepare to face the All Blacks.
Asked about whether Farrell’s hip is an issue, Jones said that he “should be alright” to face the All Blacks, but responded to World Rugby’s decision not to punish him over the controversy by taking a swipe at those who felt Farrell was in the wrong with his tackle and that it should have been a penalty.
“As I’ve said quite consistently, I leave the TMO to make the decision – they have that much time to make the decision so if they can’t make the decision there is no use me making an opinion on it,” Jones said.
“We accept the good with the bad. Your headline writers all think it was bad so maybe you need to get new headline writers because everyone else in the world thought it was good.”
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