ENGLAND MAYDAY
A headache for Jones as Tiger Jonny suffers shoulder injury JOSH IS RELISHING CHANCE IN A MILLION
JONNY MAY gave watching England boss Eddie Jones a major fright as he left Twickenham clutching his shoulder.
Four weeks before South Africa kick off the monthlong autumn series, Jones’ first-choice winger emerged from an early collision grimacing in pain.
The match was being staged at the national stadium to raise funds for Rob Horne, whose right arm was paralysed in a tackle when the sides last met.
Which only heightened the concern as May underwent treatment before leaving the field with his right arm in a Pound Game showdown with London Broncos.
Experienced Aussie McCrone was one of their most high-profile recruits and has been a controlling influence for Paul Rowley’s side as they finished fourth in the Qualifiers, beating Super League sides Widnes and Leeds. But he admits the prospects of playing in makeshift sling. Leicester boss Geordan Murphy said: “Jonny got a bang directly on the point of his shoulder and it is sore. Sometimes you can just strap him up and play, sometimes they take a few weeks.”
May, 28, has scored in each of England’s last five Tests and was their player of the summer series in South Africa. Given that the Red Rose brigade have lost five of their last six games, they can ill-afford to lose his firepower.
A scan last night revealed no break but Tigers pledged to tread cautiously.
Should the damage prove worse than feared, Jones will consider promoting Bath’s Joe Cokanasiga ahead of a series in which they also take on New Zealand, Japan and Australia. May’s injury was
GLOUCESTER head coach Johan Ackermann praised Danny Cipriani’s huge impact as the outside half guided his side to a deserved 35-21 win over former club Wasps at the Ricoh Arena. Cipriani (right) booted 15 points with three penalties and three conversions to add to two tries from Charlie Sharples and one apiece for Ben Vellacott and Lewis Ludlow.
Ackermann said: “Danny has been really upbeat. He gives belief to the other players.” a country where rugby league was barely known seemed ridiculous at first. McCrone said: “I thought it was a bit pie in the sky really. I laughed it off initially and thought it was something that couldn’t really happen. But the more I looked into it and the guys behind it, the more it became apparent how serious they were and how the only disappointment for Leicester as they took revenge on Northampton for beating them home and away last season.
Jamie Gibson scored the opener for Saints before man of the match Jonah Holmes set up two tries in as many minutes for Ben Youngs and Jordan Olowofela.
Added to George Ford’s assured goal kicking, that left Northampton with too much to make up, despite them claiming the game’s final two tries through David Ribbans and Mikey Haywood. “The loss is painful,” said Saints boss Chris Boyd. big it could be.”
In the way of the Wolfpack’s top-flight dreams are a Broncos side aiming to regain the Super League status they lost at the end of 2014.
McCrone said: “London are a class team. Early in the season they put nearly 50 points on us. We can’t underestimate them.”