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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.

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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.

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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:

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Trevor 54 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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