Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'I saw him at 12.30 and was operated on at two o'clock... it all happened pretty quickly'

Youngs' contribution to English rugby over the past decade has been monumental. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Ben Youngs expects to be fully involved in England’s Word Cup training camp after revealing he was left with no option but to undergo shoulder surgery.

ADVERTISEMENT

Youngs was hurt in the climax to the Guinness Six Nations against Scotland and on April 6 it was announced he had undergone a procedure to repair the damage that would require three months of rehabilitation.

It was an alarming development as Eddie Jones invested heavily in Youngs as his first choice scrum-half to the point that there is no clear hierarchy in the position beneath him.

But having completed the operation, the 29-year-old should be available for the four warm-up Tests that precede Japan 2019.

“At the time I felt it but thought it was OK and it would settle. I then had it scanned, went and saw the specialist, and he said ‘you just can’t play’,” Youngs told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Rugby Union Weekly podcast.

“I saw him at 12.30 and was being operated on at two o’clock so it all happened pretty quickly. You never want to miss games but it happened and I didn’t really have a choice in it. But it should be 12 weeks and a pretty simple recovery time provided there are no hiccups.”

Leaving with having to watch Leicester’s relegation battle from the sidelines, Youngs was cheered by the influence of out-half George Ford when Tigers crucially beat Newcastle 27-22 last Friday to go eight points clear of Falcons, who are bottom of the Premiership.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I dare say without him, I don’t know where we would be,” continued Youngs. “He’s a world-class player and he’s showing that to everyone.”

Defeat at Kingston Park would have left the Tigers on the verge of relegation to the Championship, but two tries from Guy Thompson and 12 points from Ford coupled with a valiant late defensive effort secured a priceless win.

“I just think he’s been unbelievable the last few weeks. His game control at the weekend was just phenomenal,” he added.

ADVERTISEMENT

“He has continued to grab the bull by the horns and steer the ship. Given the adversity, to play like he has, is credit to him.

“But we still have three games to go and the Premiership has been just crazy. Until we are guaranteed safety, I will still be watching very nervously.”

WATCH: The new RugbyPass docu-series on the Leicester Tigers academy

Video Spacer

ADVERTISEMENT

South Africa v Argentina | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

France v New Zealand | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

England v Wales | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

Tattoos & Rugby: Why are tattoos so popular with sportspeople? | Amber Schonert | Rugby Rising Locker Room Season 2

Lions Share | Episode 3

Zimbabwe vs Kenya | Rugby Africa Cup Semi Final | Full Match Replay

USA vs Spain | Men's International | Full Match Replay

Portugal vs Ireland | Men's International | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

U
Upnorth-taniwha 39 minutes ago
New Zealanders may not understand, but in France Test rugby is the 'B movie'

So with all that's been said, France sending a b team, top 14 so strong, we support ab’s, they support top 14 and WC and six nations. It is what it is, but do you think that the results of this tour have matched the outcry? Like the first test against a so called b side? Yes we won, just. The second test was better, but against a lesser team apparently. And the third test we will experiment, to a degree. But we are still not thrashing them. One would expect if the teams they are sending are so bad, then why aren't we holding them scoreless and why aren't we putting 50-60 points on them every week? We put all our emphasis on international rugby, yet the show isn't what one would think it would be considering all the facts. I don't know, but I was really expecting the ABS to come out in the first test and show France how pissed off they were that they had sent a mediocre test team. Send them home thrashed and with their Tails between there legs, but I don't know. I think they would go home confident that even if they put the b side in, they can compete against a power house AB team. Not good for us, more so for them. As we all know, the mental side of international rugby is huge. Players confidence can set there path for their careers. So I think it was a perfect chance to absolutely dent the confidence of these up and comers, so when they faced us again in the future, they wouldnt be so keen! And if the ABs had really smashed this team and any other team that done the same, then it would be a message to all international sides. That if you do so, you do so at your own risk and at the expense of the growth of your players going forwards. I get what everyone is saying in regards to all the other stuff. Yes we have a lot to work on. But firstly we need to win, and win big. Otherwise these complaints of b sides, look rather silly. Yes we are 2 nil up. The second test against a much weeker side was better-ish. But C'mon, if they want to send b sides, we should treat them like that, and really be smashing them. Confidence in any player, can be changed for the entirety of their careers. Maybe if we did this, they would realise the effects and send stronger teams. But I don't think that so far this series, any player would feel like they wouldn't want another go at the ABs and can face up to them. Just a thought

80 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ New Zealanders may not understand, but in France Test rugby is the 'B movie' New Zealanders may not understand, but in France Test rugby is the 'B movie'