More injury problems for England

England’s injury list has grown yet again. Eddie Jones confirmed that Exeter’s Henry Slade will be out for up to four weeks, while Kyle Sinckler could be miss the majority of the Six Nations.

The Harlequins prop was due a scan on Wednesday morning and Eddie Jones wasn’t optimistic when speaking at the Six Nations launch in London.

“The likelihood is that he has a hamstring injury of significance and it is probably going to be six to seven weeks”.

Jones is prepared for more knocks at England’s training camp in Portugal and quipped “By the time we get back it will be 20 (players), so who’s counting”.

Chris Robshaw has been in the pool trying to get himself in shape for England’s Six Nations opener against Italy on February 4th.

“He is unbelievable in the pool, he did a water aerobics class in the pool with a bunch of Portuguese women yesterday and apparently he was the best in the class. So if we are playing Italy in the pool he’ll be alright, if we’re playing rugby maybe he is going to be borderline to get there.”

Mike Brown has resumed light skills and Jones expects him to be back to full training by the middle of next week, but added he was “borderline” to be ready for the Italian game.

Jones feels his England team are being written off as Six Nations contenders by the media.

“Ireland their provincial sides are doing well, Scotland had a great Autumn series, we had a muddling Autumn series, we have a list of injuries as long as my arm. We haven’t got any teams in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup – we got one that sneaked through. It’s all doom and gloom, that’s what I am reading.”

But challenged where he was reading those comments, Jones laughed, “I must be making it up! I have a great imagination, I am making it up!”

Jones was certainly trying to deflect England from the favourites tag and thinks Ireland are the team to watch.

“The expectation is high, I am sure the fans think that, I am sure their sponsors think that. I think the expectation on Ireland is high and it’s how they handle it now. It is different going into the tournament as favourite, rather than being the underdog. So it is a different position to be in, but they have a very good coach, a great leadership team and I am sure they will cope with it.”