The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Watson to miss Ireland showdown
Anthony Watson’s participation in the rest of England’s Guinness Six Nations campaign is in doubt after he was ruled out of the next fixture against Ireland.
Watson was due to start the opener against France but was withdrawn on the eve of the team announcement due to a calf problem he had been carrying.
The Bath wing was then ruled out of last Saturday’s Calcutta Cup victory over Scotland and Jones has now revealed he will miss at least one more game.
“Anthony Watson is still a couple of weeks away,” said Jones at England’s training base in Kensington.
England will look to Wales’ visit to Twickenham on March 7 for Watson to make his comeback.
The 25-year-old Lion has been plagued by injury in the last two years after Achilles problems and a knee issue.
Jones has given more positive news on centres Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade with both potentially fit to face Ireland at Twickenham on Sunday week.
Tuilagi suffered a groin strain against France but his return to full training is imminent while Slade has nearly recovered from the ankle injury he sustained in late December.
Wales expect Dan Biggar to face France despite the outsidehalf suffering a third head injury this season.
He is currently going through concussion protocols after clashing heads with Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw during Wales’ 24-14 Six Nations defeat in Dublin on Saturday.
The Northampton Saints playmaker failed a dressing room head injury assessment (HIA) shortly afterwards and has just over a week to prove his fitness ahead of France’s visit to Cardiff on February 22.
Biggar suffered head injuries in successive World Cup games against Australia and Fiji in Japan last autumn, but recovered to play in the quarterfinal victory over France.