England lose Van Rensburg and Pepper ahead of Nations Championship

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 19:32 · Archive

Bristol centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg has been ruled out of England's November Nations Championship Tests after two concussions in three games.

Benhard Janse van Rensburg has been ruled out of England's Nations Championship Tests against Australia, Japan and New Zealand in November. The Bristol centre suffered concussions in his last two appearances: against Argentina in July during his second international cap and more recently playing for Bristol against Northampton in the Premiership.

Bath flanker Guy Pepper will also miss the entire autumn period after sustaining an ankle injury against Gloucester last Friday. The injury does not require surgery but will sideline him for several weeks.

England head coach Steve Borthwick faces further uncertainty over fly-half Fin Smith. The Northampton player has not trained this week after sustaining a calf injury against Leicester on Saturday and must prove his fitness before the Wallabies match next Sunday. Borthwick said it remains "unclear at this stage" whether Smith will be available. The coach aims to name his squad by Wednesday to allow an extra day before the Sunday fixture. In more positive news, centre Seb Atkinson is likely to feature for Gloucester this weekend, while winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso may also play for Exeter.

How it is being reported

• England’s Nations Championship plans hit by Pepper and Van Rensburg double blowBath flanker Pepper injured ankle at Gloucester on Friday Bristol’s Van Rensburg advised to rest after two concussions England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, said he will be monitoring this weekend’s domestic Prem games with some trepidation. Already he has lost at least two potentially key squad members for the entire autumn period in the form of Guy Pepper and Benhard van Rensburg, with doubts still hanging over his first-choice fly-half Fin Smith and fresh injury uncertainty emerging on virtually a daily basis. Pepper’s involvement always looked improbable from the moment he suffered a…The Guardian · 27 Oct, 19:09
• Benhard Janse van Rensburg stood down from rugby as England sweat over Fin Smith injuryThe Bath flanker Guy Pepper, meanwhile, has been ruled out of the November TestsIndependent Sport · 27 Oct, 18:00

In this story: Benhard Janse van Rensburg · Guy Pepper · Fin Smith · Steve Borthwick · Bristol Bears · Bath Rugby · England · Australia

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