Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

Magnus Bradbury enters the fray as Hamish Watson ruled out of Rugby World Cup

By Online Editors
Hamish Watson. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Scotland have suffered a fresh blow to their World Cup hopes after flanker Hamish Watson was ruled out for the rest of the tournament.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Edinburgh forward suffered a serious knee injury during Sunday’s 27-3 defeat to Ireland in their Pool A opener in Yokohama and will play no further part.

Gregor Townsend has now turned to Watson’s club teammate Magnus Bradbury for cover after a scan confirmed the news the 27-year-old had been fearing.

Watson was heard letting out a huge scream just before half-time as he was caught in a painful ruck tangle with Cian Healy and Tadhg Furlong.

He was taken from the field on a stretcher and was later spotting looking disconsolate on the bench with his brace round his left leg.

No timescale has yet been put on his recovery period but his World Cup is now over.

Bradbury, who had already travelled to Japan on stand-by as a precautionary measure after fellow Edinburgh back-rower Jamie Ritchie suffered a facial injury in the Dark Blues’ final warm-up test, will now join Townsend’s team officially as they gear up for their do-or-die clash with Samoa next Monday.

The loss to Ireland was a bitter blow to Townsend’s plans for the tournament and he admits losing Watson is another painful set-back.

ADVERTISEMENT

The head coach said: “While there is a high probability of picking up injuries during a World Cup, it’s always disappointing to see someone having to head home.

“We feel for Hamish who had worked so hard for this opportunity and wish him well in his recovery.”

– Press Association

RugbyPass on the ground ahead of Ireland v Scotland:

Video Spacer

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

FEATURE
FEATURE Juan Ignacio Brex: 'Italy made history, but it's not enough' Juan Ignacio Brex: 'Italy made history, but it's not enough'
Search