England full-back Watson sidelined with knee injury

England full-back Anthony Watson will be sidelined for at least a month after suffering a knee injury in Bath’s European Champions Cup defeat to Harlequins last weekend.

There were concerns that Watson could be facing another lengthy lay-off when he was injured in his first game since England’s Rugby World Cup final defeat to South Africa.

Bath on Tuesday revealed that the British and Irish Lion will be out until Christmas at least after suffering a medial collateral ligament tear.

That diagnosis will be a relief to England head coach Eddie Jones, with the Six Nations getting under way at the start of February.

Watson returned to action in April after 13 months out with a ruptured Achilles.

Premiership side Bath are waiting to discover how long Charlie Ewels will be unavailable after the lock also injured his knee in Quins’ 15-9 victory at The Stoop on Saturday.

Ewels, capped 12 times by England, sustained a slightly higher grade of ACL tear to Watson.

Injury updates have been issued on Anthony Watson and Charlie Ewels following the Heineken Champions Cup match against Harlequins last weekend.

— Bath Rugby (@bathrugby) November 26, 2019

Bath director of rugby Stuart Hooper said: “The collision-based demands of our game are tough and it is never easy to see a player leave the field with an injury.

“We are pleased however that in Anthony’s case, his injury is not as serious as first thought. We are waiting for further detail on Charlie and will share an update as soon as we are able.

“Both Anthony and Charlie will now work with our Performance Department in order to come back stronger and perform at their very best when the time is right.”

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