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Scotland hit by Rugby World Cup injury scare
By Ian Cameron
Scotland's Rugby World Cup hopes may have just suffered a major blow as scrumhalf Ben White was forced off the field during their Summer Nations Series clash with France at Murrayfield.
White went down in clear pain after a heavy collision, and initial indications pointed to a lower limb injury of some sort. White's potential absence will be a cause of concern for head coach Gregor Townsend, as he is regarded by many as Scotland's first-choice scrumhalf.
French winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey caught White in the jaw with a swinging arm as the scrumhalf went to ground, but referee Ben O'Keeffe didn't refer it to TMO and the game played on.
White could be seen limping off before later punching the bench in frustration as he sported bandages around his ankle.
In Saturday's World Cup warm-up match, Finn Russell assumed the captaincy for Scotland for the first time. Despite fielding a near-first-choice XV against a second-string French side, Scotland encountered challenges. They made 13 changes to the team that secured victory against Italy, with most of their key players returning to action.
Compounding their worries, skipper Jamie Ritchie was absent due to a minor calf injury. The medical staff remains hopeful that he will recover in time for the rematch between the two teams in Saint Etienne next weekend.
Meanwhile, the French team showed their strength in depth with three debutants, including the impressive Bielle-Biarrey, who played a pivotal role in setting up a scintillating try for Baptiste Couilloud.
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Latest Comments
It is if he thinks he’s got hold of the ball and there is at least one other player between him and the ball carrier, which is why he has to reach around and over their heads. Not a deliberate action for me.
Go to commentsI understand, but England 30 years ago were a set piece focused kick heavy team not big on using backs.
Same as now.
South African sides from any period will have a big bunch of forwards smashing it up and a first five booting everything in their own half.
NZ until recently rarely if ever scrummed for penalties; the scrum is to attack from, broken play, not structured is what we’re after.
Same as now.
These are ways of playing very ingrained into the culture.
If you were in an English club team and were off to Fiji for a game against a club team you’d never heard of and had no footage of, how would you prepare?
For a forward dominated grind or would you assume they will throw the ball about because they are Fijian?
A Fiji way. An English way.
An Australian way depends on who you’ve scraped together that hasn’t been picked off by AFL or NRL, and that changes from generation to generation a lot of the time.
Actually, maybe that is their style. In fact, yes they have a style.
Nevermind. Fuggit I’ve typed it all out now.
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