Youngs could be fit in time for tour of South Africa
England have been boosted by the news that Ben Youngs is almost two months ahead of schedule in his recovery from knee surgery and is likely to be fit for their tour of South Africa.
Youngs suffered knee ligament damage in the opening minutes of England’s Natwest Six Nations opener with Italy on Feb 4 and was expected to be out for four months after undergoing surgery.
That would have made him a doubt for the tour but Matt O’connor, Leicester Tigers director of rugby, has revealed the scrum-half is targeting his side’s game with Northampton on April 14 to make his comeback.
“Ben’s come back really positive,” said O’connor. “The thinking is that he’ll be back around the time of the Northampton game, which is a boost for us.”
And O’connor will also be able to welcome back another England international this weekend with Ellis Genge available for the first time this year after shoulder surgery.
The prop went under the knife after Leicester’s game with Wasps on Dec 2 but is available to make his comeback against the same opponents this weekend. “Ellis has trained well over the last couple of weeks and he’s putting his hand up for selection,” added O’connor. “We’ve had some good performances from Greg Bateman and Logo [Mulipola] but he adds a lot of depth. He’s one of the best trainers and he brings unbelievable intensity and passion, which is important in the back end of the season.”
Northampton wing George North has been “disciplined internally” after missing a training session – but will see out the season with the club.
North was absent for the Aviva Premiership home defeat by Sale on March 3 and afterwards Alan Gaffney, the Saints coach, suggested that the 25-year-old Wales international had not wanted to play for the club.
The incident prompted speculation that North, whose contract expires at the end of the season, could quit Franklin’s Gardens sooner than planned. But North, who returned to club training on Monday after Natwest Six Nations duty, will be available for selection for Saints’ five remaining matches, starting with this weekend’s clash against
Newcastle Falcons.
Mark Darbon, the chief executive, said: “George has enormous affection for this club and its supporters, and is fully committed to helping the club finish the season as strongly as possible.”