Cokanasiga is is fighting to be fit for Irish
ENGLAND sensation Joe Cokanasiga faces a race to be fit for the Six Nations.
Cokanasiga, who scored two tries in his first two games for England in the autumn, damaged medial knee ligaments playing for Bath on Saturday.
The 21-year-old will target a return for the club’s final two European group matches in January knowing if he does not make it he will be struggling for England’s huge opening game against Ireland.
Fellow-wing Jack Nowell is also sidelined until January which could open the door for Sale’s Chris Ashton.
The flamboyant Ashton was England’s try scorer in their narrow defeat by the All Blacks before damaging a calf against Japan.
Johnny Sexton is targeting a third Lions tour before he retires after signing a contract extension which could see him playing against the Springboks at the age of 36. Sexton, the World Player of the Year, will remain with European champions Leinster until the end of the 2020-21 domestic season after which the Lions head for South Africa.
Rassie Erasmus has confirmed he will step down as Springboks coach after next year’s World Cup but continue as SARU director of rugby.
Jim Mallinder has emerged as a candidate to succeed Bernard Jackman, who was yesterday sacked as Dragons head coach.
England’s clubs have rejected Nigel Melville’s call for a two-conference Premiership, branding it too American.
“There’s no discussions on that. Last time I checked this was being played in England, not the States,” said Premiership boss Mark McCafferty.