JAMES HASKELL WAS jokingly hailed for contributing “an outstanding 35 seconds” after his return from a seven-month injury lay-off was dramatically cut short on Sunday.
England flanker Haskell came on as a second-half replacement in Wasps’ 22-16 Premiership victory over Leicester Tigers, having recovered from reconstructive surgery on a big toe, only to exit the field almost immediately after banging his head into the hip of Freddie Burns as he made a tackle.
Haskell appeared to be momentarily knocked out, but was soon seen smiling as he watched the remainder of the game from the bench.
Wasps director of rugby Dai Young told BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire: “The most important thing is that he is fine. He would have obviously have wanted a lot more [time on the pitch], but thankfully he is okay.
Everybody was concerned initially, but once they had seen he was okay, he was getting a little bit of stick in the dressing room. It was an outstanding 35 seconds, wasn’t it?”
The injury appears unlikely to jeopardise Haskell’s hopes of making Eddie Jones’ squad for the Six Nations, but Young acknowledged the forward could struggle to make next weekend’s Champions Cup clash with Toulouse.
“It all depends on what the medical team say now and after looking at him,” Young added.
“It will be tight and fingers crossed he will be available, but obviously player welfare is the most important thing.”
Presuming Leinster send a B team to SA. Bulls will be hoping they drop points and bulls will go full out for top spot with pretty much all home games now till the end …would like to see a fully loaded Leinster playing the bulls in the final in Pretoria ..that would be awesome to see….
@Stuart: I say they will send a B side with the Northampton game after the SA tour
@Stuart: I reckon Munster are more than a bit offended that the Bulls couldn’t be bothered playing their strongest team in CC quarter final. Hoping for a cracking match.
@sean o’farrell: send a good mix, start most of the first squad in game 1 and the so called B team in game 2 with a strong bench. Loads of game time and fantastic team building trip.
@chris mcdonnell: they may fly the A team back after the Lions game – I think they did that a few season ago – B team should still be stronger than the team we put out last year when we played the Bulls
This season could work for Leinster. Last year; the URC and Champions Cup Semi finals were all in May This year, URC doesn’t finish until June; so they won’t have to decide which semi final to priortise. They can go full strength for both. So if Leinster are going to do the double; this is the year to do it They won’t get as long a season next year, so managing knockouts of two completions with a trip to SA will be more difficult.