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Rugby Union

Robinson set to miss France clash

05/03/2007

Sale winger Jason Robinson looks set to miss England's Six Nations game with France, as national coach Brian Ashton faces an injury crisis.

Robinson suffered a neck injury during England training before the Ireland game and sat out Sale's defeat to Saracens at the weekend.

Now, with time running out before England face Les Bleus at Twickenham this Sunday, the rejuvenated Robinson is a major doubt.

Sales Sharks boss Phillipe Saint-Andre – himself a veteran of numerous England-France clashes – indicated it was unlikely Robinson would make it back, rating him at 50-50.

There was further bad news for Ashton with skipper Phil Vickery helped from the field after his game for Wasps against Bristol, and talismanic fly-half Jonny Wilkinson pulled off before the end of Newcastle's game with London Irish.

Wilkinson was said to be suffering from cramp but any threat to the fitness of the injury-blighted back will be taken seriously ahead of the game against the only side undefeated in this year's championship.

Ashton will be desperate to have the big-game experience Robinson, Vickery and Wilkinson bring to the side after their heavy defeat at Croke Park to Ireland last week.

There was some encouraging news from the Sharks, though, as it is expected Magnus Lund will be back for the France game after missing out last week, and that Andy Farrell is also expected to be fit despite sitting out Saracens win over Sale yesterday.


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