SAM’S WORLD CUP NIGHTMARE
SAM SIMMONDS’ World Cup hopes have been dealt a crushing blow after he was ruled out for up to nine months by a knee injury.
The Exeter back row, who scored twice in England’s Six Nations win over Italy last season, will miss the rest of the international season.
Scans revealed serious ligament damage from a tackle incident against Worcester last Saturday.
“If the operation and rehab goes really well, we’d like to hope that we can maybe see him before the end of the season,” said Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter.
“Obviously, Sam is upset. He was looking forward to a big season – and he had already started it well.
“It may well be that, if he shows real form at the end of the season, he could go into the World Cup squad.”
Exeter have also lost second row Jonny Hill for up to four months with a finger ligament injury.
Leicester captain Tom Youngs has backed Joe Marler’s decision to walk away from England to spend more time with his family. He said: “Fair play to him for saying he can’t do it, as it shows the sign of a very tough man.”
Only 9,000 tickets remain on public sale for the Heineken Cup final at St James’ Park, Newcastle on May 11.