Statement: Lawrence heartbreak as Bath confirm long-term layoff
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Bath have confirmed that England centre Ollie Lawrence will not be fit for the start of the 2025/26 season after undergoing surgery on a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia
The 25-year-old suffered the devastating injury just eight minutes into England's Six Nations clash with Italy at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium, crumpling to the turf without contact as he pushed off to accelerate. He was carted off looking utterly distraught—and now, any hopes of a quick comeback have been dashed.
Lions dream in tatters
Before injury struck, Lawrence had all but booked his seat on the plane for the British & Irish Lions tour of Australialater this year, following a string of barnstorming performances in the Six Nations. But now? Even making the Autumn Nations Series with England looks like a major ask.
Bath's injury list grows
Head coach Johann van Graan also confirmed that Sam Harris and powerhouse forward Jaco Coetzee will miss the opening rounds of the new Premiership campaign. All three players face several months on the sidelines.
"It's important to note that neither Ollie, Sam Harris nor Jaco Coetzee will be available for the start of next season," van Graan told reporters ahead of Bath's showdown with basement battlers Newcastle Falcons this Saturday.
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Three England Stars Who Could Lose Their Central Contracts
Last October, England handed out 17 enhanced Elite Player Squad (EPS) contracts as part of the shiny new Professional Game Partnership deal.
It gave head coach Steve Borthwick more control than ever, including the final word on all sports science and medical matters.
Among the big winners were George Ford, Marcus Smith and Fin Smith – all three fly-halves receiving upgraded deals ahead of the autumn internationals.
But fast forward six months, and not all those golden ticket holders are sitting pretty. We take a look at three players who could be on the chopping block ahead of the next round of central contract decisions.
#1. Henry Slade – The Class Act Losing His Place
Slade's silky style has long made him a favourite with fans – but his Six Nations was anything but smooth. Once pencilled in as a midfield maestro, he now finds himself completely out of Borthwick's 23.
His combination with Ollie Lawrence never quite clicked, and although there were flickers of promise, it wasn’t enough to convince the coaches. Slade was ultimately cast aside in favour of Fraser Dingwall, and now his England future – and his central contract – looks seriously uncertain.
Possible replacement: Fraser Dingwall
The mid-Six Nations switch that saw him take Slade’s place has given Dingwall a solid opportunity to make a real push for a long-term role in the squad. A gritty and intelligent player, he's an ideal fit in the centre and could continue his rise with consistent performances.
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