Rugby Union: Full-backs injured

England and Ireland were today counting the cost of injuries to their full-backs. Tim Stimpson will be out for three weeks while the Irishman Jim Staples could miss the whole of the Five Nations' Championship after breaking his jaw.

Stimpson's concussion has presented unexpected problems for the England coach, Jack Rowell, as he prepares to announce his team to play Argentina in next Saturday's Twickenham Test. Stimpson was injured when tackling David Campese while playing for the Barbarians on Saturday and must spend the mandatory three weeks on the sidelines.

Staples was injured in an accidental clash of heads with the England wing Adedayo Adebayo during yesterday's 35-20 Courage League defeat at Bath. X-rays revealed damage to Staple's upper jaw, and he now faces a minimum three-month lay-off.