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Rugby Union

Tindall out for 12 weeks

14/04/2007

Mike Tindall faces an extended period on the sidelines after breaking his leg in Gloucester's 19-12 defeat to Newcastle at Kingston Park yesterday.

Tindall was stretchered off midway through the second half after an accidental clash with Toby Flood.

The England centre will undergo scans to confirm if he has fractured his tibia and could face up to 12 weeks out.

He would miss the bulk of England's World Cup preparations with the summer tour to South Africa also just a month away.

Flood recalled the incident saying the players knew instantly that Tindall had a problem.

He said: "I stepped one way and I think Mike instinctively stepped the other, then I felt his shin hit my thigh really hard.

"It was just one of those things nobody can do anything about, but I feel desperately sorry for Mike because he is a nice bloke and a great player."

Jonny Wilkinson was also injured in the same game but Falcons director of rugby John Fletcher said the player was not as badly hurt as first feared.

Wilkinson went off just after Tindall having received a blow to the ribs but Fletcher said it was just cartilage damage and was not serious.

He said: "He hurt it a little bit last week, but took a full part in training and was ready to play.

"It's just the nature of the game that all players pick up knocks, and it feels a little silly spending so much time talking about a little thing like that when Mike Tindall has just broken his leg."

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