Rugby hospitality news: Tom Croft 'could be out for five weeks'

18/01/2010

Twickenham hospitality ticketholders may miss out on the chance to see Tom Croft in action at the forthcoming 6 Nations tournament.

The blindside flanker was helped off the pitch mid-way through the first half of Leicester Tigers' Heineken Cup clash with Viadana on January 16th after injuring his left knee.

Earlier this season, the England international damaged the same joint and was sidelined for six weeks.

Richard Cockerill predicted that the injury could spell bad news for England coach Martin Johnson, stating that Croft could be out for five weeks with the knock.

Cockerill was typically forthright about his thoughts on the injury and its potential impact on the international competition, saying: "While England manager Martin Johnson might be concerned about Tom's 6 Nations situation, my only concern is that we won't have him in Swansea next weekend."

Croft has become the latest injury worry facing Johnson. Phil Vickery will miss the tournament altogether, while lock Simon Shaw recently damaged his wrist and knee playing for Wasps against the Tigers.