WATSON WOE
Achilles’ setback extends England international’s absence
Anthony Watson has suffered a serious setback in his recovery from a ruptured Achilles’ tendon. The Bath Rugby, England and Lions star has re-injured the tendon, is back on crutches and needs a second operation. It means the 24-year-old is unlikely to play for club or country before the end of this year. Watson suffered the original injury playing for England in their defeat to Ireland in the Six Nations at Twickenham on March 17. The original prognosis was six months. After his first surgery and time on crutches he had recently been continuing the long road of rehabilitation at Farleigh House. It is not clear whether the second injury happened while he was doing rehab or in his day-to-day life. Watson’s absence at the start of next season means Tom Homer is the frontrunner for the No15 shirt. When Watson had an injury-hit campaign in 2016/17, Homer played every minute of the first 16 Premiership matches. His best season since joining the club from London Irish was then followed by one which was injuryridden. Former England under-20 international Darren Atkins, who made his Premiership debut last season, is another option at 15. Bath have not yet revealed whether they will try to bring in injury dispensation cover for Watson. James Wilson also filled in at full-back during last season, but he has now left the club after a contract offer was withdrawn.
Will Chudley is hoping to thrive on the competition for the number-nine jersey at Bath Rugby. The experienced scrum-half has arrived from Exeter Chiefs this summer and, as it stands, will be battling it out with no fewer than four players for a spot in the first team – Kahn Fotuali’i, Chris Cook, Max Green and Darren Allinson. Like former Northampton Saint Fotuali’i he has the experience of being a Premiership champion in the bank. Chudley said: “As a group of nines we’re working really hard together and we’re only going to push each other in terms of competition going into the season. “Hopefully I can bring a bit of energy and tempo to the game and I’d like to think I’m a pretty good decision-maker. “I’m looking forward to playing a different brand of rugby – Girvan Dempsey has come in and we got a lot of clarity straight away in terms of what we want from our attack. “That’s great for a nine, because it means you can play your own game within that.” Having been first choice at the Chiefs he fell behind the likes of former Wallaby Nic White in the pecking order at Sandy Park. The 30-year-old is excited by the talent he is training with at Farleigh House and is confident Bath will have a big 2018/19 season after a disappointing last campaign. “The sky is the limit with this club,” he added. “If you look at the squad, there’s lots of quality there and the hunger to achieve is 100 per cent there. “It’s exciting for me to be part of this journey and I’m very much looking forward to it. “The boys and coaches have been really welcoming and there’s a real positive vibe around the place, which is great to be part of. “There are lots of similarities [between Bath and Exeter]. All the boys and coaches are really hungry and we’re all putting our best foot forward. “Hopefully it will lead to a big year – there are always going to be small differences, but there’s more than one way to skin a cat. “It’s really refreshing – new voices and new players and that’s the most exciting thing for me.” Chudley has played at, and been successful, at the Rec before. Now he can’t wait to run out there wearing blue, black and white. He said: “It’s a very prestigious place to play. It’s right in the centre of the city and everyone walks in for matchdays – it’s an incredible experience. “I’ve played here before and the atmosphere was crazy, so it will be nice to be on the home team for a change.”