Obano agony as jinx strikes again
ENGLAND’S training jinx has struck again as Bath confirmed yesterday that prop Beno Obano could be out for a year after suffering major leg damage in camp with the national squad. The 23-year-old loosehead — Maro Itoje’s cousin — was hurt during a session in Brighton eight days ago. He will require a prolonged period of rehabilitation after an operation. Bath said that Obano (right), who has enjoyed a breakthrough season, had suffered ‘multiple ligament and hamstring tendon damage’. When asked about it after naming his side to face the Barbarians tomorrow, national coach Eddie Jones said: ‘He just got caught in a difficult situation and unfortunately he’s got a knee injury. He was doing really well for us and it’s disappointing for him.’ It raises further uncomfortable questions about England’s brutal training regime. The first time they staged a Brighton camp, in the autumn of 2016, the toll was savage. Wasps flanker Sam Jones suffered multiple leg injuries in a judo session and had to retire earlier this year, while Anthony Watson broke his jaw and Jack Nowell tore a quad muscle. Since then, there have been regular casualties. Last year, Jonny May, George Kruis and Marcus Smith were sidelined after being injured while training with England. This year, Nowell — again — and Sam Underhill have been struck by the curse. Now Obano. Bath director of rugby Todd Blackadder said: ‘Beno will undergo surgery and a lengthy spell of rehabilitation. It’s upsetting he’ll miss this chance to show his class. While this type of injury is complex and can lead to a 12-month lay-off, we are focused on getting Beno back as soon as possible.’ Jones has named four uncapped players — Henry Trinder, Jack Singleton, Elliott Stooke and Zach Mercer — in his XV to face the Barbarians. Mike Brown has shifted to the wing to allow Elliot Daly to make a first Test start at full-back, meaning Danny Cipriani will be among the replacements. Chris Robshaw and George Ford will act as co-captains, leading the side against a dangerous Barbarians line-up assembled by Pat Lam featuring English exile Chris Ashton at full-back.