Vickery injury blow for England
The Gloucester captain saw Bristol-based specialist Richard Nelson yesterday, who decided he will undergo surgery as early as Friday.
It is the latest blow to England’s Six Nations plans with Vickery heading the list of props now unavailable to coach Clive Woodward.
England are already without Jason Leonard, Julian White and David Flatman in the props department.
Inexperienced Northampton youngster Robbie Morris was called up for his first cap against Wales last Saturday, and is now likely to retain his place against Italy on March 9.
Flanker Lewis Moody has already been ruled out for the rest of the season after shoulder surgery.
Meanwhile English officials have issued a warning that international rugby could run out of money within five years.
The Rugby Football Union believes that awarding the 2007 World Cup to England ahead of their only rivals France would help alleviate the position but called on the game to initiate a system of long-term planning for the staging of future World Cups.
The International Rugby Board currently has reserves estimated at £40million but RFU chairman Graham Cattermole said: “We have had a look at the IRB figures and when you project it through, we estimate that by around 2008-2009 the IRB will run out of money.
“That shows just how important the 2007 World Cup will be and we believe we can generate twice as much as France.”
Cattermole said: “It is important in the near future that the International Rugby Board and Rugby World Cup start making some decisions long-term to get a plan in place to look at the next four or five tournaments over a 15 to 20 years cycle.”
The RFU are also concerned about the money all the northern hemisphere rugby nations will lose as a result of this year’s World Cup in Australia. They are all losing their autumn internationals, which generate millions, and Scotland have already launched a claim for compensation.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
