Bath issue update on Charlie Ewels' serious injury with England

England and Bath lock Charlie Ewels could miss all of the forthcoming 2022/23 season after undergoing knee surgery. The forward was hurt during England’s preparations for the first Test against Australia in Perth on July 2. The 27-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury, with the normal recovery time following that diagnosis being nine to twelve months.

“Charlie has been for his operation, which went well, and he will be out for an extended period,” said Johann van Graan, the new Bath head of rugby, about the current status of Ewels' injury. “It was a pretty serious knee injury. 

“He is in good spirits, and he sees it as an opportunity to work on other parts of his game as he goes through the rehab process. These types of knee injuries, my experience tells me it is too early to say in terms of length of time.

“Is there a chance (of playing this season)? Potentially, the back end of it, but I wouldn’t want to speculate on it now. It’s way too early.”

Bath are back in training, building towards a Gallagher Premiership opener against Bristol, their West Country rivals, at Ashton Gate on September 9.