Anthony Watson set to miss England’s autumn internationals with broken jaw
Wing Anthony Watson has become the latest addition to England’s list of casualties ahead of next month’s autumn internationals after he sustained a suspected broken jaw.
Watson, a mainstay of Eddie Jones’s resurgent Red Rose side, is thought to have suffered the injury during England training on Tuesday and is not expected to recover in time for the fixtures against South Africa, Fiji, Argentina and Australia.
The setback comes after uncapped Wasps flanker Sam Jones saw his hopes of an imminent Test debut evaporate when he broke his leg during a session in which the England squad tried their hands at judo.
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Bath director of rugby Todd Blackadder said of Watson: “It’s too early for a full medical prognosis on how long he will be out for, but it’s likely he’ll miss the autumn internationals. He is in great hands with our medical team and we look forward to seeing him back on the pitch when he’s ready.”
Watson, 22, played in every game of England’s successful Six Nations campaign and was also ever-present in the 3-0 series whitewash of Australia Down Under during the summer.
The former London Irish back has scored 12 tries in 24 Tests since making his debut two years ago.
Sam Jones, meanwhile, faces months on the sidelines after fracturing his fibula in a judo drill with Saracens lock Maro Itoje.
He had been in contention to replace club colleague James Haskell, who remains indisposed following toe surgery.
England, who have won all nine matches since former Japan coach Jones took charge, begin their autumn series against the Springboks at Twickenham on 12 November.