Training camp incident has England sweating on Ollie Chessum fitness
Ollie Chessum has emerged as a major doubt for England’s autumn opener against New Zealand on November 2 because of a knee problem.
Chessum suffered the injury during the squad’s training camp in Girona last week and the PA news agency understands he is undergoing scans, the final results of which should be known on Sunday.
The 24-year-old is now sweating on his availability not only for the All Blacks’ visit to Allianz Stadium, but also the remainder of the campaign against Australia, South Africa and Japan.
If ruled out, the Leicester back five forward would be a significant loss to head coach Steve Borthwick.
Chessum provides options in the second and back rows and it was at blindside flanker where he made a strong finish to this year’s Six Nations with impressive displays against Ireland and France.
He would have toured Japan and New Zealand in the summer with the expectation of adding to his 23 caps, only to be sidelined by shoulder and thumb issues that needed surgery.
A recipient of one of 17 enhanced Elite Player Squad contracts announced on Friday, he could now be facing another lengthy interruption to his Test career.
Northampton scrum-half Alex Mitchell has already been ruled out of the autumn because of a neck injury and there is uncertainty over the return dates of George Ford and Fraser Dingwall.
Centre Henry Slade is aiming to prove his fitness after shoulder surgery in Exeter’s clash with Harlequins on Sunday in what will be his first appearance of the season.
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I think they will be more irritated by ruck defence not forming up again properly. Sam Cane was the only experienced one who looked like he knew where he was supposed to be.
Sublime attack in the first half that makes it difficult not to notice the lack of it in the second, couple of fortunate late ones too. Still not able to put my foot on any actual reason for it.
Interesting ... stat to add. I'll add that I'd love to see a Super team (a new one obviously as the current ones already having locking partnerships) with Japan's Warner Dearns and Sanaila Waqa learning their trade together, Waqa looks like an absolute beats, and athletic (and what about that chip kick regather try!!).
Go to commentsLol did he(Dmac)? I was about to agree that he made a lot of errors in the second half, but with those ratings the talking point surely has to be how sublime he was in the first [set up nearly every try and moved them down field some great kicking] instead!
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