England star: Injuries were tough but it’s great to be playing again
RUGBY star Anthony Watson today told of his joy at having the chance to p l ay for England again after a three-month injury nightmare.
The 22-year-old fullback and winger missed all the autumn Tests and his team’s first two Six Nations matches this month — but is expected to feature in the third, against Italy, on Sunday. Watson, who has scored 12 tries in 24 internationals, broke his jaw at an England training camp in Brighton in October and then damaged his hamstring in a sprint session last month.
He said: “It’s not been easy to watch the boys win when I have not been involved, and wishing you are out there playing, but you have to put the team first — try to enjoy the moment for them.
“It is great that I am back playing. Having three months off is pretty tough, but it is not all doom and gloom. I am a better player because of it.”
The Bath player also told of his excitement at their crunch match with Leicester — billed as “The Clash” — to be held at Twickenham in April. It is expected to attract at least 50,000 spectators and will take place every season for the next five years.
Speaking after a training session at his former school, St George’s College in Weybridge, organised to promote the match, he said: “It is going to be a great family event.”
England head coach Eddie Jones said he was “confident” that Watson — regarded as one of the country’s most exciting players — will feature against Italy after including him in the 25-man training squad for the game.
Jones had a series of injuries to deal with before the tournament but Watson said there were plenty of players who can “step up” to fill any holes, adding: “It is part of the game. It is not a concern from an England point of view.”
He also spoke about the risk of concussion to players, which is a major focus for referees and medics.
A World Rugby directive in November introduced two new categories of high and dangerous tackles — “reckless” and “accidental” — in an attempt to minimise head injuries by forcing players to tackle lower.
But Watson said he believed the changes could make the game more dangerous. “We are aware of it [concussion]. The way it is dealt with is pretty good. With the new laws, with the new focus on going low, it i s going to c reate more concussions in my opinion. There is definitely a focus for us having to go low now,” he said.
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See Bath Rugby face their fiercest rivals Leicester Tigers in The Clash at Twickenham on 8 April 2017. For tickets and further information visit www.bathrugby.com/theclash