INJURY LEAVES DOLLY’S TOUR HOPES IN RUINS

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NIC DOLLY suffered a horrific knee injury which looks certain to have wrecked the Leicester hooker’s hopes of touring Australia with England this summer.

The Sydney-born 22-year-old, who was this week named in a 36-man England squad for a three-day training camp which begins today, was left badly hurt following a ‘crocodile roll’ by Adam Brocklebank at the breakdown.

The Falcons prop was sinbinned for the 29th-minute challenge and Dolly, who has enjoyed an outstanding campaign for Steve Borthwick’s side, was taken off on a stretcher.

Tigers boss Borthwick said: “It looks like Nic’s been hurt reasonably seriously.

“We will have to get it scanned ASAP and he will see the best guys to make sure he’s back on the field as soon as possible.”

The match marked Dean Richards’ final home game in charge of the Falcons and successor Dave Walder said: “Deano’s been an enormous presence, literally and metaphorically, and kept the club going at times through some pretty tough times on and off the pitch.

“It would have been nice for him to have finished at home with a win.”

A crowd of 8,015, the Falcons’ biggest home gate since April 2019, saw Fijian Nemani Nadolo (top) barrel through the Newcastle defence and over the line.

Brocklebank was sinbinned for his challenge on Dolly after intervention from TMO Hamish Smales.

In the 50th minute, Newcastle finally scored when George McGuigan charged over in the left corner.

But a penalty from George Ford gave Leicester breathing space and the fly-half then sent over centre Guy Porter over to score.

Late on, Freddie Steward touched down Ford’s clever kick in the right corner, securing a win which took them a step closer towards clinching top spot ahead of the play-offs.