LONDON — Fin Smith stated the England squad are “devastated” for Ollie Lawrence after the centre was compelled off within the first half of their win over Italy with a suspected extreme Achilles harm.
Lawrence went down injured within the ninth minute. He collapsed on the turf away from the motion, and was stretchered off. Head coach Steve Borthwick stated post-match they might wait on additional scans to find out the severity of the harm, however admitted it seems to be like a “powerful” harm.
England ended up beating Italy 47-24 to maintain alive their slim hopes of a Six Nations title win subsequent weekend in Wales, however the victory was overshadowed by Lawrence’s harm.
Smith is aware of Lawrence nicely — the 2 had been teammates at Worcester Warriors and play alongside one another within the England staff. Submit-match, Smith was requested about how Lawrence was bearing up, and admitted that each the staff and Lawrence had been left “devastated” by the harm.
“Clearly you play in a recreation and also you wish to win and all these items, however I feel there is a type of deeper degree to it and if you see considered one of your greatest mates doubtlessly dropping the possibility to go on a Lions tour and what was certain to be an enormous yr for him, it breaks your coronary heart,” Smith stated of Lawrence.
“I feel I used to be in all probability a bit too gutted on the pitch seeing that occur and it possibly rattled me for a couple of minutes. I in all probability made just a few errors off the again of it. We’re all completely devastated for him.
“I’ve obtained all the pieces crossed that the scans say it isn’t too unhealthy however it isn’t trying sensible. He’s completely devastated.
“He has been an enormous a part of Tub and pushing them ahead and an enormous a part of this England staff. I do not suppose he has performed under a seven, eight out of 10 ever actually for both his membership or his nation. So yeah I’m devastated for him and I do know he is devastated as nicely.
“We have now simply obtained to get round him. I feel as teammates, we have to be good pals to him now and look out for him as a result of it will be a tricky time for him.”
England rejigged the backline after Lawrence’s harm with Elliot Daly shifting into the centres and Marcus Smith approaching at fullback.
“It is an Achilles harm. We’ll know extra within the subsequent 48 hours when he has the scans and sees the specialist,” Borthwick advised a post-match information convention. “Fingers crossed it isn’t fairly as extreme as we feat it may be. He’ll get the easiest care and see the easiest individuals to be taken care of.”
Borthwick added: “It seems to be prefer it might be an actual powerful harm however I’m hesitant to say precisely with none detailed evaluation of it by way of the scans. It seems to be like it’s a powerful harm for him.”
Whatever the prognosis, Borthwick stated Lawrence will miss subsequent week’s journey to Cardiff, with England are nonetheless technically in with an opportunity of profitable the championship, though they want different outcomes to go their manner.
Requested concerning the problem of Wales subsequent week, captain Maro Itoje stated: “It is a powerful place to go. I have been lucky to play there quite a few instances and I do know precisely how troublesome it’s.
“Wales vs. England is a humungous fixture so I do know all of Wales will probably be cramped within the principality and it is a problem that we’re very a lot trying ahead to.”
Having overwhelmed Eire in Dublin on Saturday, France are within the field seat to assert the title. A win towards Scotland in Paris subsequent week will safe them the crown.
1:11
Italy almost get the soar on England
Relive three traditional Six Nations video games between England and Italy forward of their conflict at Allianz Stadium this weekend.
– Lions watch: Is Sam Prendergast pushing Finn Russell at No. 10?
– Who may exchange Warren Gatland as Wales head coach?
– WATCH: Relive a few of Six Nations’ traditional video games
– Six Nations and Ladies’s Six Nations: Full fixture record
– British & Irish Lions 2025: Australia tour fixtures
