Rugby Radio Round up

Harltley Added to Long Injury List

England’s injury problems continue to mount as head coach Eddie Jones finalises his first Elite Player Squad in preparation for the RBS 6 Nations.

Hooker Dylan Hartley, second row George Kruis, wingers Jack Nowell & May as well as number eight Ben Morgan have been added to a lengthy injury list that could see seven players miss all or part of the Championship.

Munster reach rock bottom

Munster coach Anthony Foley admits there will be some soul-searching within the province after they stumbled out of the Champions Cup.

Stade Francais wing Josaia Raisuqe’s red card did not stop the French champions knocking Munster out of Europe.

Despite playing for 40 minutes with just 14 men, it was Stade who ran out comfortable winners at Stade Jean Bouin.

And such was their dominance that only a try by Conor Murray five minutes from time prevented Munster suffering their first shut-out in 21 years of European rugby.

It is the second season in a row that two-time European champions Munster have fallen at the pool stage.

Quins end Sarries 12 match unbeaten run

Harlequins inflicted a first defeat of the season on Saracens in a stormy title showdown at Twickenham Stoop that also left the Aviva Premiership champions with concerns over George Kruis.

Kruis was struck with a swinging arm by James Horwill just 90 seconds into the match and play was delayed by eight minutes as the England lock was tended by medics and then carried off on a stretcher.

Horwill shook his head in disbelief when shown a yellow card by referee Craig Maxwell-Keys, but for the remainder of a feisty London derby won 29-23 by Quins the former Australia captain was magnificent and his reward came with an 80th-minute try.

Tuilagi back in action

England centre Manu Tuilagi made a long-awaited comeback from injury as Leicester claimed a dramatic last-kick 30-27 victory over their fierce Aviva Premiership rivals Northampton at Welford Road.

New England head coach Eddie Jones looked on as Tigers star Tuilagi, who had been sidelined for 15 months due to a serious groin problem, made a 52nd-minute substitute’s appearance before Freddie Burns’ injury-time penalty saw Leicester home.

Tuilagi proved a late inclusion on the Leicester bench - his appearance in the match-day 23 was announced less than an hour before kick-off - and he must now wait to see if he makes Jones’ first elite player squad, which will be unveiled next Wednesday, 24 days before England’s RBS 6 Nations opener against Scotland at Murrayfield.