Monday Round-Up

Burrell out of Boks clash: England head coach Stuart Lancaster has yet another problem to deal with in his midfield, after news emerged that inside centre Luther Burrell has been forced out of next weekend’s clash with the Springboks. Having sat out last weekend’s 24-21 loss at the hands of World Champions New Zealand at Twickenham, Burrell’s hand injury requires another spell on the sidelines in order to ensure full recovery. Burrell will continue his treatment for the hand injury back at domestic club, the northampton Saints, alongside clubmate Stephen Myler who is currently recovering from a hamstring injury. Elsewhere, Courtney Lawes will be monitored throughout the week by England’s medical staff, after suffering from concussion in the clash with the All Blacks, but has been included in Lancaster’s provisional 34 man squad for the clash with Heyneke Meyer’s Springboks. The Boks remain the only major ruby nation England are yet to beat under Lancaster’s reign, yielding three defeats and a solitary draw from their four encounters to date.

Hook called up: Gloucester flyhalf James Hook has been drafted into the Wales squad for the remainder of the November Internationals programme, after injury to Dan Biggar in Saturday’s 33-28 defeat to Australia at the Millennium Stadium. Biggar, who left the field during the second half of Wales’ loss to the Wallabies, has not been axed from the squad, but rather Hook will provide injury cover, especially with next weekend’s game against Fiji in mind. Elsewhere, Toulon fullback Leigh Halfpenny has been suffering from what was initially described as mild concussion, and will be monitored by the Welsh medical staff throughout the week. With Gatland likely to hand starts to multiple fringe players, Halfpenny’s recovery will surely be in time for the clash with New Zealand on November 22nd, as Wales go in search of that elusive Southern Hemisphere victory.

Ryan Sheady