Josh Strauss will take no further part in the RBS 6 Nations Championship after sustaining an injury to his kidney. Previously described as a “blow to the flank” suffered during the France game, it was one of those vague things that sounded like internal damage and it turned out to be so.
After completing the match in Paris he received a medical scan. Both the scan and the player were reviewed at Spire Murrayfield Hospital back in Scotland, where the full extent of the injury was confirmed.
Strauss will now return to his club Glasgow Warriors for further care and a review of the injury will be scheduled in approximately six weeks’ time.
With that news, attention turns to potential replacements. Magnus Bradbury and David Denton could both be potentially in line for a call-up as we wait for word on John Hardie and John Barclay. Denton had a start for Bath last week, and Bradbury has been in fine form for Edinburgh. Along with Adam Ashe, both are in action this weekend – as is Cornell du Preez who is already in the squad but awaiting his first cap.
Denton is packing down at 6 for Bath – the Number 8 spot is taken by Taulupe Faletau who he could yet face next weekend in international colours.