Injury takes toll on England

13 April 2012

As the greatest year in England's rugby history drew to a close on Wednesday, the injury nightmare that has afflicted our World Cup heroes shows no sign of abating. No fewer than half of Sir Clive Woodward's squad have found themselves on the physio's table since their win in Sydney, leaving many Zurich Premiership clubs without their biggest names this weekend.

And with the real challenge of retaining their Six Nations Grand Slam just over a month away, several key players could spend the start of the tournament on the sidelines.

In a year that saw a punishing schedule of fixtures, the level of intensity has been unparalleled.

It now appears that Mike Tindall, Dorian West and Julian White will miss out on most of the Six Nations, while Jonny Wilkinson, Iain Balshaw, Ben Cohen and Phil Vickery face a New Year's fitness fight.

It seems an age since Woodward had the luxury of a full-strength squad to pick his final side from. There were niggles and minor problems throughout the World Cup but on 22 November he had his 30 firstchoice players available.

One month on, and the picture is completely different.

According to London Irish and England Under-21 physio Richard Mack, lack of recovery period rather than volume of games explains the flurry of injuries. He said: "I think that the number of games the England guys have played is having an effect on the injuries they are now having.

"But if you don't get a decent recovery period then you leave yourself open to picking up more injuries. The players might feel fit and ready but the game's changed and it takes more out of you than it ever did before.

"We are seeing more big-impact injuries that only occur in match situations. Training has changed to avoid those kinds of injuries so it is clear that the more games you play the greater the chance of injury.

"These tournaments and tours are of tremendous value but perhaps something needs to be looked at when they are being combined with full Premiership seasons."

World Cup-winner Joe Worsley believes mental fatigue may also have contributed to the high injury count. "Everyone worked so hard at the World Cup perhaps there has been a bit of a come-down afterwards," he said. "I think you'll see it even more towards the end of the season as the mental fatigue catches up with you.

"But most of the injuries have been freak accidents and that comes with the territory of being a rugby player.

"We're all keen to get back into the Premiership and I really enjoy getting back into the challenge. If you pick up a knock, really, you've just been unlucky.

"These things such as stingers [Jonny Wilkinson's injury] are part and parcel of what we do and it is nothing to do with tiredness, it just happens from time to time."

As Worsley prepares himself for Wasps' Sunday game against Sale, there is only one thing on his mind, and it certainly isn't rest.

But what about next summer? Surely the players will want the break they didn't get this year.

Worsley added: "I can't wait for the chance to go to New Zealand next summer, that'll be a great challenge. You've gotta love it!"

Injury-free or injury-prone - that's the bottom line.

The glory year takes its toll

Jonny Wilkinson - shoulder, v Northampton 28 Dec, at least a week Stuart Abbot - ankle, NZ Baa-Baas 20 Dec, up to 2 weeks Lawrence Dallaglio - bruised knee, v L'Aquila 13 Dec, 2-3 weeks Mike Catt - hamstring/back aggravated in World Cup, six weeks Ben Cohen - groin, v NZ Baa-Baas 20 Dec, 2 weeks Matt Dawson - calf, v Leicester 20 Dec, Sunday Richard Hill - broken nose, NZ Baa-Baas 20 Dec, 4 weeks Mark Regan - foot injury, v Toulouse 12 Dec, now fit Mike Tindall - ankle ligaments v Saracens 27 Dec, 8-10 weeks Martin Corry - hamstring, v NZ Baa-Baas 20 Dec, possibly Saturday Dorian West - knee, v Gwent Dragons 14 Dec, surgery - 2 months Phil Vickery - rib, v Bourgoin 13 Dec, 2-3 weeks Julian White - knee, first happened v France in Six Nations, surgery - 2 months Lewis Moody - foot, v Stade Francais 6 Dec, 2-3 weeks

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