Injury toll leaves ‘A’ league in tatters

THE Premiership ‘A’ league fixture list was decimated last week amid ongoing injury problems.

Five games were postponed with players needed to step up to cover the growing list of casualties.

Premiership big guns Saracens, Bath, Leicester, Newcastle, Harlequins, Sale and Worcester all had their matches called off for a later date.

Northampton v Wasps was postponed after the ambulance failed to arrive on time at the venue.

Over 80 top-flight players have suffered injuries in the first four rounds of the Aviva Premiership.

Leicester’s head of operations Ged Glynn said: “Player welfare is the absolute priority for Leicester Tigers. After picking up some knocks in Saturday’s game we are unable to field a team for the ‘A’ league and have postponed the fixture.”

The revamped ‘A’ League has already seen Bath postpone their fixture against Harlequins due to player shortage.

In the game that did go ahead, Exeter Braves maintained their winning start to the season with a 47-12 victory over London Irish.

Ricky Pellow’s side ran out comfortable victors with tries from Kai Horstmann (2), Ed Holmes, Moray Low, Tom O’Flaherty and Joe Simmonds, who also kicked six conversions on the night. Irish No.8 Lasha Lomidze scored twice for his side.