England's Prop Woes Deepen: Fin Baxter's Injury Rules Him Out of Six Nations
The English rugby team faces a mounting crisis as prop Fin Baxter, a key player for Harlequins, is ruled out of the Six Nations tournament due to a foot injury requiring surgery. This setback exacerbates England's prop issues, which have already seen Will Stuart and Asher Opoku-Fordjour ruled out for the tournament.
Baxter, just 23 years old, had been a consistent presence in England's lineup, featuring in their last 18 matches. However, his injury ends his streak, and the team must now find a replacement without calling up a new player. The current backup props, Vilikesa 'Billy' Sela and Trevor Davison, have only three caps between them, leaving them as understudies to Joe Heyes at tight-head.
The situation is further complicated by the limited experience of the backup props. Bevan Rodd has made only two appearances for England since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, while Emmanuel Iyogun has yet to win his first cap. This lack of depth in the prop position could be a significant challenge for England as they prepare for their opening match against Wales on February 7th.
Adding to the team's woes, flanker Ben Curry, who was set to continue his recovery from injury in Girona, has been sent back to Sale. To fill the gap, Harlequins' Jack Kenningham has been called up to the squad. Kenningham, who has previously appeared for England in an uncapped match against a France XV, will provide additional cover in an already well-stocked back row.
With the tournament fast approaching, England's management must carefully consider their strategy to address the prop crisis and ensure the team's success in the Six Nations.
