Sheridan ruled out and Toby doubtful for this week’s fixture – Six Nations update
Andre Sheridan, the England’s loose head prop will be missing all the Six Nations games left. This news came out as a blow to Martin Johnson after Sheridan was reported to be suffering from torn calf.
On Saturday against France at Twickenham in a 17-9 victory, Sheridan was called off the field and was replaced by Alex Corbisiero, a young London Irish player. Corbisiero made his debut in this Six Nations against Italy in an echoing victory a week earlier.
Martin Johnson confirmed the absence of Sheridan for at least two weeks and the recovery can even prolong to two weeks. This means that Sheridan will be missing the Six Nations fixtures against Ireland and Scotland. Though, Johnson added a “probably” in
his statement, expressing his hopes for Sheridan to return.
The medical staff has reported it to be a stage two calf injury which needs time to recover. Meanwhile, Sheridan has left the England’s training camp and has moved to Sale Sharks in Oxford.
On the other hand, Toby Flood, who suffered through Achilles injury against France, has also undergone a scan. The starting line-up fly half has been relieved by the medical team, who thinks that he will be able to play for England in next fixture in full
form.
Martin Johnson had to face a blow and at the same time had a good news from the medical staff. Johnson said, “Sheridan has a grade two tear, so it is not good. I think he is almost certainly out of the Championship. I am hearing it is two to four weeks.
He is probably out of the Championship unless there is some vast development very swiftly.”
Johnson believes that last time when Sheridan got injured, it turned out to be a good omen for England, as Corbisiero got a chance to play against Italy. Manager deems that development good for the confidence of the debutant and when he walked in the field
against France this Saturday then it wasn’t all so new for him. Johnson stated it as a ‘blessing in disguise’.
He added, “He was playing against a top-notch scrummage and top-notch players in Nicolas Mas and William Servat and he exonerated himself pretty well. He had to really struggle and fight. At times they got one on him and at times he got one on them, so he
did really well.”
Meanwhile, Jonny Wilkinson has hopes high to be in the first fifteen. Since his comeback in his national side, Wilkinson didn’t get enough time with the ball, but he scored every time he did. On Saturday, he reclaimed his title of the all time highest Test
point scorer.
Toby Flood will still not be available till Thursday, which means that Toulon will be missing Wilkinson’s presence in France for his top 14 club duty. Johnson said, “I am suspicious that Toby will run this week, potentially Thursday, but we will be watchful
with him. We will make a call on Jonny based on how we think Floody is. If we have had doubts in the past we have kept guys, particularly going into an intense couple of weeks.”
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