Billy Vunipola will sweat on the result of scans on the knee injury that could threaten his season with Saracens and even his World Cup chances.
The 30-year-old was carried from the Stade Marcel Deflandre field on a stretcher in Saracens’ 24-10 defeat by La Rochelle in Saturday’s Champions Cup quarter-final.
The powerful No8 must now wait to discover the extent of the nasty looking knee problem, with the rest of this campaign and beyond riding on the severity of the setback.
Vunipola was deemed surplus to England requirements by new boss Steve Borthwick for the Six Nations campaign, but the experienced Test back-rower has continued to shine for Saracens.
Borthwick has installed Harlequins’ Alex Dombrandt as his first choice No8, while Sam Simmonds was also involved in the Six Nations squad.
Vunipola will remain a strong World Cup contender should he be fit however, given his power-based game and consistently high club form.
Saracens’ comprehensive defeat in France leaves the Men In Black able to rest and rotate across the course of their final three regular-season Premiership matches.
Mark McCall’s men have secured a home Premiership semi-final with three games to spare, but the injuries have mounted up in the last few weeks.
Saracens will hope for good news on Vunipola on all fronts, but would clearly be boosted should he be able to make a quick return.
Vunipola’s concern adds to the back-row injury absences of Theo McFarland and Andy Christie, leaving Saracens stretched in a typical area of strength.
