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Rugby Union

Shaw doubtful for Six Nations after sustaining ankle injury

20/01/2008

England second row forward Simon Shaw is doubtful for the Six Nations tournament after sustaining an ankle injury against Munster.

The lock fell awkwardly under a pile of players during Wasps' 19-3 defeat in the pool stage of the Heineken Cup.

Shaw lay on the pitch for many minutes, clearly in pain, while medics carefully wrapped his leg in a protective cast before he was stretchered off.

Initially it was feared he had broken his leg but Wasps say scans have shown that there is only tissue damage.

A statement said: "London Wasps lock Simon Shaw received the news that an x-ray has revealed there is no break to his injured ankle.

"Shaw will undergo review and treatment on his injury, confirmed as soft tissue damage, throughout this week."

Shaw is due for more scans later in the week to ascertain the full extent of the injury but reports from his club claim that the 35-year-old is still experiencing discomfort.

He is already expected to be out for several weeks, which would rule him out of England's Six Nations opener against Wales, but he could be sidelined for longer.

England only have three other locks in their Six Nations squad, Bath's Steve Borthwick and Leicester duo Louis Deacon and Ben Kay.

Head coach Brian Ashton may now promote either London Irish's Nick Kennedy or Shaw's Wasps team-mate Tom Palmer to cover for the injured star.