WILLIAMS JOINS ENGLAND CASUALTIES
MIKE WILLIAMS became England’s latest injury concern after suffering suspected nerve damage to the arm he broke twice last season during Leicester’s warm-up.
The uncapped Zimbabwean-born flanker, in contention to make his international debut against South Africa with back rowers James Haskell (toe), Jack Clifford (ankle) and Sam Jones (broken leg) already ruled out through injury, withdrew shortly before kick-off after sustaining the injury.
‘Mike got a whack to his arm in the warm-up and it was sore, the best thing to do was for him not to play,’ said Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill.
‘I’ve no idea (how long he may be out). He had some nerve issues before when he had the metal plate taken out. We’ll have it scanned and see where he’s at. Hopefully it’s just a bit of nerve irritation and he’ll be fine.’
England head coach Eddie Jones came in for criticism this week for the full-contact nature of training, which left Jones and Anthony Watson (broken jaw) injured, while the timing of the three-day camp — 12 days before the start of European competition — was described as ‘flabbergasting’ by Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall.
‘The timing of it is agreed by the chairmen of the clubs so you’ll have to ask them about that,’ Cockerill said. ‘I think it’s more the content than the timing. But if you’re Eddie you’ve got to get ready to play the Springboks and you’ve got to get your players prepared. The agendas are different. The clubs take their money for releasing the players and you pay your money take your choice.’
On the field at Welford Road, Ellis Genge showed his international class as Leicester maintained their play-off credentials with a bonus-point win against an unimpressive Worcester outfit that looks destined for a relegation dogfight. The young Tigers loosehead, named last week in Jones’ elite player squad, produced a hugely impressive all-round display as Cockerill’s men ran in three tries.
Even without a host of injured and rested players ahead of Friday night’s European Champions Cup visit to Glasgow Warriors, Tigers had too much class for Worcester.
Loosehead prop Genge, 21, was at the forefront of the home side’s efforts, scrummaging impressively alongside Tom Youngs at hooker and the under-rated Greg Bateman — playing in place of the rested Dan Cole — at tighthead.
His powerful 32nd-minute charge saw him power through three Worcester defenders before producing a sublime flicked offload on the inside to allow Tigers’ attack to continue, leading to Tom Brady’s opening try under the posts in the 24th minute.
Leicester full-back Telusa Veainu crossed eight minutes later, with Owen Williams adding two conversions to two earlier penalties to make it 20-0 before Logovi’i Mulipola and Graham Kitchener crossed in the second half for the bonus point. Jaba Bregvadze scored Worcester’s only try on 62 minutes with Ryan Lamb kicking two penalties and a conversion.
Eddie Jones at least had a boost with Worcester centre Ben Te’o coming on off the bench following a disrupted start to the season with concussion.