World Cup blow for Townsend
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Scotland's World Cup hopes have suffered a severe setback with the news that the centre Gregor Townsend could be out of the game for up to a year.
The Gala player damaged his knee playing against Hawick last weekend but the full extent of the damage was not discovered until Saturday, when Townsend was examined by the Scottish Rugby Union doctors.
"Gregor has damaged the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and could be out of the game for up to a year," the Scotland manager, Duncan Paterson, said.
Townsend will undergo a further examination in Edinburgh today to determine whether surgery is necessary. If it is not, then Townsend could be back for the start of next season but surgery would mean an absence of a year.
Paterson said he was optimistic about the chances of the Bath duo, Andy Nicol and Andy Reed, being fit for the World Cup. Both have been out of action for most of the season but Nicol has already played two games for Bath reserves. The Bristol prop Alan Sharp is still suffering from a back problem and has only a even chance of going to South Africa.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments