The English rugby team is facing a worrying situation in the run-up to the Six Nations, due to a series of injuries affecting key players. Fin Baxter joins the list of casualties after it was confirmed that he will have to undergo foot surgery.
Baxter, who was initially scheduled to travel to Girona with the rest of the team for the pre-tournament training camp, is now forced to be absent. His absence represents a hard blow for coach Steve Borthwick, who loses one of his pillars.
The situation is compounded by the fact that Will Stuart has already been ruled out for the entire tournament due to an Achilles tendon injury, and Asher Opoku-Fordjour is also out of action due to shoulder surgery.
Faced with this situation, Borthwick has called up Billy Sela and Emmanuel Iyogun, two players still without experience in the tournament, to reinforce the front row. Baxter’s absence leaves the team without a solid third option in the prop position, which represents a significant challenge for England’s aspirations in the championship.
Ben Curry, who was also on the list of players in rehabilitation, will finally stay with his club to continue his recovery after a hamstring injury.
To cover these losses, Jack Kenningham, a Harlequins player, has been called up to join the team in their training camp in Spain.
The Six Nations for England will begin on February 7 against Wales at the Allianz Stadium. Borthwick’s team is considered one of the favorites to win the title, seeking their first championship since 2020.
