England star faces a longer lay-off

BATH and England star Anthony Watson is facing another potentially lengthy injury battle after retearing his Achilles tendon.

Watson suffered an initial Achilles injury playing for England against Ireland in the final game of last season’s Six Nations Championship five months ago.

And Bath have no clear time frame on when he could now return to action.

Bath rugby director Todd Blackadder admitted yesterday that it is a “start again injury” as the countdown continues towards the start of the new season.

Speaking to reporters at Bath’s training base in Farleigh Hungerford, Blackadder said: “The initial surgery did not quite take, and he has retorn it.

“It is a start again injury, so we honestly don’t know what the timeline is.

“It could come down to weeks or months, but it could be later in the season, we just don’t know.”

Watson, 24, has won 33 England caps and scored 15 tries for his country.

The prognosis from his first Achilles injury was a six-month absence, so the latest setback suggests he might struggle to play again this year.

England kick off their autumn Test schedule against South Africa on November 3, with world champions New Zealand, Japan and Australia following on successive Saturdays.

Bath, meanwhile, launch the Gallagher Premiership season against Bristol in 17 days.

And considerable interest will surround 94 times-capped Wales centre Jamie Roberts’ arrival in the west country from Harlequins.

“Communication, especially in our midfield, was a massive issue for us last season,” Blackadder said. “That’s why we looked for experience.

“In the way that he trains, he (Roberts) is one of the fittest backs here. He has just been fantastic.”

And 31-year-old Roberts is relishing making his mark at a new club.

“There is an individual challenge to settle as quickly as possible, getting to know my fellow players and building relationships,” he said.

“I want to win with this club, that’s the main reason I came here. I think there is an opportunity to win silverware.

“The Premiership is as competitive as ever. Having played in it for the last three seasons at Quins, I experienced a lot of good things and also experienced some tough times.

“If you are off your game, whether that is individually or collectively, by five or 10 per cent, home or away, in this league, you lose. It’s that competitive.”