England star ruled out of RWC

08/24/2023 10:18 AM

England have suffered a fresh blow ahead of the Rugby World Cup after an influential backline campaigner was ruled out of the tournament with a calf injury. Anthony Watson sustained the problem in Saturday’s defeat against Ireland in a World Cup warm-up fixture. The 29-year-old has been replaced in Steve Borthwick’s World Cup squad by Jonny May, who will start Saturday’s clash against Fiji. It is the latest fitness issue for British & Irish Lions wing Watson, who has battled back from long-term knee and Achilles injuries. The injury is another huge setback for England boss Borthwick in the same week that captain Owen Farrell and number eight Billy Vunipola were handed bans that rule them out of the World Cup opener against Argentina on 9 September. ALSO: Pumas lose prop for World Cup “In the game against Ireland, Anthony Watson suffered an injury to his calf which means he can’t play for a number of weeks,” Borthwick said on Thursday. “As such he will not be part of the 33 that travels to France next week. We’re all really disappointed for him.” Watson is the second player to withdraw from Borthwick’s original World Cup squad after an ankle sidelined Jack van Poortvliet. Borthwick also reveal on Thursday that Elliot Daly and Henry Arundell have been ruled out of the Fiji match. Daly suffered a knee issue against Ireland, but England are confident he will recover in time for the World Cup, while Arundell has been struck down by a “freak back spasm”. Courtney Lawes will captain England in the absence of Farrell as the lock wins his 100th cap against Fiji this weekend. Amid all the injury woes, Borthwick had a positive update on Tom Curry, confirming he will return to full training imminently having missed all four warm-up Tests because of an ankle problem. © Agence France-Presse Photo: @EnglandRugby/Twitter The post England star ruled out of RWC appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.