Courtney Lawes faces a race against time to play again this season after suffering a horror injury playing for his club.
England’s Six Nations captain sustained a compound dislocation of his thumb early in Northampton’s European Challenge Cup defeat at Gloucester.
“The bone actually came out and it either popped back in or was put back in,” revealed Saints boss Chris Boyd.
“It was quite nasty and there are some medical decisions to be made around the skeletal function of the thumb and the muscle and ligament situation.”
Asked if Lawes will play again this season or could even be a doubt for England’s three-Test summer tour of Australia, Boyd replied: “I haven’t any idea.
“He didn’t want to look at it because he knew it was going to be a bit challenging.
“He certainly needs specialist consultation to make a decision on what is the best course of action for him going forward, but he is as good as can be.
“All I can clearly say, until we get a medical view, is he won’t play on Saturday.”
Lawes led England well in the absence of Owen Farrell and Eddie Jones will want him Down Under as the national team looks to put a dismal Six Nations behind them.
Marcus Smith will have a major role to play in that and Harlequins reported yesterday that he had shown no ill-affects from the missed kick that ended the Premiership champions' European dream.
Captain Stephan Lewies said: “Marcus is absolutely fine, preparing the boys for a good performance this weekend.
“He understands the nature of sport. His maturity for his age is unbelievable.”
Coach Tabai Matson added: “Marcus moves on really quickly which is an important trait for someone in his position and with the amount of responsibility we give him.
“I don’t think anyone who’s become world class has had an easy ride. There is only really one way to grow and that is to learn from things like this.”
Dean Richards , the longest-serving director of rugby in the English game, is to step back from the role after 24 years.
After 10 years leading Newcastle, and another 14 at Leicester, Grenoble and Harlequins, Richards is discussing taking another role in the Falcons hierarchy.
“I’m talking to Semore [Kurdi, the Newcastle owner],” he said. “I’ve been doing it for 25 years or so and it’s been a long haul, to be honest.
“At the same time I’m still keen as mustard, and still enjoy the sport and the match days more than anything. If I’ve got anything to announce, I’ll tell you one day.”
