Sanderson blow for England

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Sanderson blow for England

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Pat Sanderson has been ruled out of England's first three Six Nations matches with a back injury edging Lawrence Dallaglio closer to a recall against Grand Slam champions Wales at Twickenham on Saturday.

The Worcester flanker and captain went off during the Warriors' Premiership victory over Bristol on Friday with a gashed head - a premature end to his comeback game after more than a month out with back trouble.

But it is the back problems which will see him miss between four and six weeks and he will be sidelined for the games with Wales, Italy and Scotland.

"I am disappointed for Pat, Worcester and England because he will be sorely missed," explained coach Andy Robinson.

"He was outstanding for us in the autumn and played very well in that first half for Worcester against Bristol on Friday before coming off."

Dallaglio, back in the squad after retiring from Test rugby 17 months ago, will now face competition for a starting berth against the Welsh from Lewis Moody, Joe Worsley and uncapped Sale Sharks prospect Magnus Lund.

But there was some good news in the back row concerning the skipper Martin Corry after he missed Leicester's draw with Sale because of a rib problem.

Tigers coach Pat Howard is convinced that Corry will be fit to play against the Grand Slam champions.

"'Cozza' is one for the England medical team to deal with," Howard said. "We made a decision that he wasn't quite right for the Sale game.

"I felt if we played him it could have turned into one of those injuries that runs and runs. He will be okay to play in the Test match next week."

Robinson will announce a revised squad for the Wales game on Monday probably reducing his group from 36 to 26 with Leicester hooker George Chuter already ruled out with a knee sprain.

Sanderson, former skipper Lawrence Dallaglio, Wasps' Joe Worsley and Leicester's Lewis Moody are all competing for back-row places alongside Corry.

England coach Andy Robinson is expected to reduce his squad by around 10 players to 26 on Monday, after medical checks are conducted.

 

 

 

 

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