Fearns out for season as English No.8 curse strikes again

CARL Fearns is out for the rest of the season after rupturing his cruciate knee ligament.

The Lyon No.8 tweeted: “That’s my season over folks. Rubbish news but I’m a lucky man with lots of support around me.”

The 28-year-old was nominated for French Top 14 player of the season last year, before losing out to La Rochelle’s New Zealand international back-rower Victor Vito.

Fearns has been in fine form for Lyon, who are shock Top 14 leaders after seven matches.

The former Sale and Bath forward was injured in last weekend’s 25-6 win at Agen, after which he had said on Twitter: “The curse of the English 8 got me tonight.”

England have a No.8 injury crisis a month out from their Autumn internationals against Argentina, Australia and Samoa.

First choice Billy Vunipola of Saracens is out for months after knee surgery and Jack Clifford dislocated his shoulder in Harlequins’ win over Sale on Friday night.

Fearns, who has never played for England, told The Rugby Paper a fot night ago that he was considering a switch of allegiance to France in a bid to make the 2019 World Cup.

EXETER winger Jack Nowell could miss the Autumn internationals after fracturing his cheekbone. The 24-year-old may need surgery and could be out for eight weeks.

Ben Te’o limped off in Worcester’s victory yesterday, and Sam Underhill missed most of Bath’s match after a head knock.