Johann van Graan issues promising Ollie Lawrence injury update

Bath head coach Johann van Graan and head of medical Rory Murray have issued a statement today saying they are working towards centre Ollie Lawrence making a return to playing during the Guinness Six Nations.

The in-form centre injured his hip against Toulouse in the Investec Champions Cup on Sunday and has since been replaced by Bath teammate Max Ojomoh in England’s training squad during their training camp in Girona this week.

Despite reports suggesting the 24-year-old will be out for the entirety of England’s Six Nations campaign, van Graan provided a slightly more positive outlook on Friday ahead of Bath’s Gallagher Premiership clash with Bristol Bears after Lawrence had seen a specialist.

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The medical update also gave an expected return date for fellow England international Ted Hill, who has been out of action since undergoing hamstring surgery in October. The flanker is expected to return in mid-March, which should be in time for the Premiership’s resumption after the Six Nations.

The Bath statement reads: “Ollie Lawrence sustained a hip injury in Bath Rugby’s game against Stade Toulousain. He has seen a specialist and we are working with England Rugby to establish his return date. We are working towards a return during this Six Nations campaign.

“Ted Hill continues his rehabilitation following surgery in October. He is on course for a return in mid-March.”

Lawrence was almost a certainty to start in England’s midfield for their opening match of the Six Nations against Italy in Rome next week, particularly with Manu Tuilagi still out with a groin injury. But with England facing reigning champions Ireland and then France in the final two games, a fit Lawrence could potentially be a major fillip to Steve Borthwick and his squad for what appear to be England’s trickiest two fixtures of the Championship on paper.