Bristol Bears and Bath Rugby stars doubtful for England A after injuries on club duty

Bristol Bears winger Gabriel Ibitoye and Bath’s young tighthead prop Vilikesa Sela both look doubtful to run out for England A against Australia XV next Sunday after suffering injuries this weekend.

Ibitoye, who was named the Gallagher Premiership player of the month for October and is the joint top scorer in the league, injured his shoulder in the latter stages of Bristol’s 10-10 draw with Australia XV at Ashton Gate on Friday night. Ibtoye was one on three Bears players, along with lock Joe Batley and hooker Gabriel Ibitoye, called up for the fixture, but now looks in significant doubt. Speaking on Saturday, Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said: “Gabs got a knock to the shoulder, in the next 24 hours we will know where he is at.”

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Sela, 19, was something of a surprise call-up for England A having barely featured for Bath yet, but the teenager is well known to the national side's coaches having been a key figure in England U20s' Six Nations and World Championship wins this season under head coach Mark Mapletoft who has stepped up to lead the development international side this Autumn.

Sela, who came on as a replacement against Bristol in Bath's 78-19 Premiership Rugby Cup win over the Bears on Saturday injured himself while making an eye-catching break down the left wing but on his way to the try line he was hit hard by centre Jack Bates and appeared to hurt himself while falling awkwardly.

Post-match, Bath’s head of academy Andy Robinson provided an initial update. He said: “He has got a shoulder injury. All these injuries, you look at it and when you see his arm strapped like it was you get a little bit concerned but we will have to see what the scan shows.

“Billy has done well this year, if it is a month or a couple of months out, whatever it is, he will come back better."

Bath flanker Ted Hill and centre Max Ojomoh, the latter of whom has been injured, have also been named in England A's wider squad.