RBP Rugby World Cup Injury Report: Round One

Well having just gotten through the first round of the Rugby World Cup, there is already some very unfortunate news regarding injuries in this tournament.

Wales’s bad luck continues, as their second fullback, Liam Williams, limped off the field in the 35th minute, and he is a player Warren Gatland cannot afford to lose this early. Cory Allen, who looked to be playing himself into the starting squad against England with a hat-trick, was also forced off with a hamstring tear and will not be available for the rest of the tournament. Bear in mind the injuries that Wales have already suffered, and you begin to understand just how worrisome these injuries are for Warren Gatland.

France have also suffered a big loss, with star winger Yoann Huget likely out for the remainder of the tournament with a cruciate ligament injury. Huget is one of their best attacking weapons, and France will need to find a replacement for him and hope they can find his X-factor elsewhere in their ranks.

And as if things weren’t bad enough for the Italians, already without Luca Morisi and Sergio Parisse, one of their best and most experienced backs, Andrea Masi has torn his Achilles tendon, ruling him out for the rest of the tournament as well. Masi was likely to be a key figure for Italy be it in the back three or the centers, and he does constitute a major loss to their backline.

On a happier note, it would appear that two of rugby’s most exciting talents should be back on the pitch sooner rather than later, with Robbie Henshaw and Wesley Fofana both making good progress towards a return to play.

We at RBP hate to see talented players injured, and we wish all of these players the best of luck and hope to see them back on the pitch as soon as is safely possible. You can expect us to go down to the Church and light a candle for them, because as all of our grandmothers taught us, lighting a candle is the best medicine.