Percival battles to recover from neck injury

Northampton forward James Percival is recovering in hospital after a successful operation to stabilise his neck.

The England U-21 lock suffered a neck fracture during Saints’ pre-season friendly against Munster, and underwent surgery at Oxford’s Radcliffe Infirmary.

“The operation was a total success and there were no complications,” said Northampton rugby director Budge Pountney, after visiting Percival yesterday.