by Steve Borthwick, the head coach of England, facing a headache ahead of the Six Nations, with the three loose ones selected for last year’s World Cup out of consideration or in a fitness race for the start of the championship.
Joe Marler, England’s leading loosehead in the semi-final loss to South Africa, left Harlequins’ win over Gloucester at Twickenham with a hand injury. Ellis Genge was injured training with Bristol at the start of December and Sale prop Bevan Rodd has been ruled out of the entire Six Nations, which starts on February 2, with a toe injury.
Mako Vunipola, who was not selected for the World Cup squad due to an ongoing back problem, has been banned for four games after receiving a red card for a dangerous tackle in Saracens’ win over Newcastle last weekend. Vunipola’s return, should he be selected, would be England’s opener in Italy on February 3.
On Wednesday, Genge and Marler’s respective club coaches, Pat Lam and Billy Millard, issued updates on their players’ recoveries. As for Genge’s hamstring injury, Lam said the loosehead, a candidate to take over as England captain in Owen Farrell’s absence, was “on track… hopefully in time for the Six Nations “.
“The plan is to be back for the Italy game,” Lam added. “I understand he has a good track record, so you give him a couple of weeks. The important thing is that they just do the job and every player is different; every injury is different. When it’s ready, it’s ready.”
As for Marler’s arm injury, Millard said the veteran loosehead would almost certainly not be available for Harlequins’ trip to Newcastle this Friday. However, the director of rugby was unable to provide any further updates as Marler, along with fellow Quins starters Dino Lamb and Stephan Lewies, were still being assessed and scanned by the club’s medical team.
“We had three big injuries in the first half [of the Gloucester victory] to three decision makers who have a lot of influence on the field,” Millard said.
“To be completely honest, they are still looking at specialists. I think some of them have turned out right, but I’m still not 100 percent clear on all three. We are still waiting for full clarity.
“Yes [Marler’s] arm but, again, they’re getting MRIs and specialists are looking at it, and until I’m 100 percent clear, I don’t want to speculate. God love him, he fought for a long time, but we have got specialists looking at him as we speak.
“Fingers crossed, it’s only a short-term one. Joe is Joe. It’s big for us in so many ways. I hope it’s not too long.
“I highly doubt he will be available for selection [this Friday].
What are Borthwick’s options?
The injuries leave Borthwick with a growing challenge ahead of England’s game in Rome at the start of next month – and the captaincy too.
If Genge was in the England head coach’s thoughts – the pair, after all, led Leicester to their first Premiership title in almost 10 years in 2022 – to lead the national side then Bristol football now looks more like . Genge will not have played much rugby before the championship, even if he is fit for the Azzurri challenge on February 3.
Furthermore, would Borthwick pick a captain who won’t even be able to fully participate in training when the squad is announced on January 18?
In terms of the No. An undercooked Vunipola, due to suspension, is the ideal candidate.
Val Rapava-Ruskin, fourth choice in the pre-World Cup game, is not expected to be back for Gloucester until the end of this season. Beno Obano, just like last season, has put in some commanding displays for Bath but has been below Rapava-Ruskin, Vunipola and the trio selected in the World Cup pecking order.
Borthwick may therefore be forced to roll the dice and choose a youngster. Thankfully, there are a number of options who have shown potential in the Premier League this season; even if they are not created at the highest level. Phil Brantingham, 22, is a sight to behold in Newcastle, lively in the loose and also a devastating scrummager – and highly rated in the top tier of English rugby.
Tarek Haffar, the same age as Brantingham, is another man with plenty of potential, who was on display during Northampton’s comeback against Sale last weekend. Fin Baxter has established himself as a capable replacement for Marler for Harlequins but it remains to be seen whether he can do so at Test level. Replacing Rodd at Sale, Ross Harrison is also playing the rugby of his life.
Whatever the outcome, an interesting month awaits England’s starting line-up.
