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England suffer Six Nations double blow with Elliot Daly and Nathan Hughes ruled out for at least two months

Wasps pair will miss at least 10 weeks after suffering long-term injuries in the victory over La Rochelle last weekend

Friday 22 December 2017 08:20 GMT

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Nathan Hughes and Elliot Daly will miss at least the first half of England’s NatWest Six Nations title defence through injury.

The Wasps pair limped off in Sunday’s Champions Cup rout of La Rochelle at the Ricoh Arena and although neither player requires surgery, they face extended spells in the treatment room.

A specialist has confirmed that number eight Hughes will take eight to 10 weeks to recover from his knee problem while the prognosis for Daly’s sprained ankle is 10-12 weeks of rehabilitation – potentially ruling the wing out of the entire Six Nations.

England vs Samoa player ratings

Show all 15

1/15England vs Samoa player ratings

England vs Samoa player ratings

15. Mike Brown – 7 out of 10

Smart support line off Itoje brought the first try after just one minute, and held up Ioane shortly before the Samoan try. Up-and-under after the break caused chaos among the Samoan defence and led to a chance that couldn’t be taken.

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England vs Samoa player ratings

14. Jonny May – 7 out of 10

Intelligent play saw him make all of 30m after a quick lineout and dazzling step to wrong-foot Fonotia. Suffered a concussion shortly after the break by a swinging arm from Leiua that went unnoticed.

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England vs Samoa player ratings

13. Henry Slade – 7 out of 10

Very impressive running with the ball and his ability to pass at full tilt brings the best out of the two wings outside him. Didn’t have to kick much, which suited his game.

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England vs Samoa player ratings

12. Alex Lozowski – 7 out of 10

On hand to finish the second try after a smart pass from George, but paid the price a few minutes later as he was on the end of a bone-crunching hit from Leiau. Did well to recover and continue, though conceded a penalty for not rolling and also butchered a chance just before the break with a knock-on. Replaced by Piers Francis three minutes shy of the hour.

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England vs Samoa player ratings

11. Elliot Daly – 8 out of 10

Good harassment of Nanai-Williams brought the second try as he forced the fly-half into an error. Produced two beautiful finishes in the second half, the first from dancing inside two defenders and the second where he beat six men to run in from 35m out.

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England vs Samoa player ratings

10. George Ford – 8 out of 10

Probably his most mature performance on the day he co-captained the side with Chris Robshaw. Triggered a number of slick back moves that produced space out wide and kept his teammates – on the whole – out of Samoan range.

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England vs Samoa player ratings

9. Danny Care – 7 out of 10

Lively around the ball and produced a quickness that Ben Youngs slightly lacks. Had to wear a big hit when he was caught in front of the ball carrier that required a bit of treatment.

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England vs Samoa player ratings

1. Ellis Genge – 7 out of 10

Very solid in the front-row battle and did his work in defence well. Replaced by Joe Marler soon after the break, and will have been disappointed not to see more action.

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England vs Samoa player ratings

2. Jamie George – 8 out of 10

Appeared to take his chance to shine in Dylan Hartley’s absence as he set-up the second try for Lozowski and was on the money in the lineout. The Saracen also fronted up in the scrum, and he took his leave 64 minutes in as the skipper returned.

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England vs Samoa player ratings

3. Dan Cole – 7 out of 10

Gave away a sloppy penalty for coming in to the ruck at the side, but made up for it a minute later when he sealed a turnover in the ruck that triggered an England attack.

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England vs Samoa player ratings

4. Joe Launchbury – 6 out of 10

Gave England’s maul its grunt, which was made all the more prevalent when he was forced off the field after half an hour with a shoulder injury and the driving maul ceased to be a weapon.

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England vs Samoa player ratings

5. Charlie Ewels – 7 out of 10

A good line outside Maro Itoje allowed Care to miss out the Saracens forward and feed Ewels to crash over and score the third try. Penalised in the second half for holding a defender at the ruck, but on the whole it was a strong showing.

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England vs Samoa player ratings

5. Maro Itoje – 7 out of 10

Carried well, particularly in the second half when he tried to run over David Lemi. A useful option running the lineout in England’s wealth of options, and he packed down in the second-row once Launchbury had to leave.

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England vs Samoa player ratings

7. Chris Robshaw – 7 out of 10

He was right in predicting that he would not change his game. Played like a blindside flanker – almost a six-and-a-half... – as he wasn’t able to impose at the breakdown but stole ball in the lineout and led the defensive effort. One poor pass to the opposition did not tarnish another workman performance.

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England vs Samoa player ratings

8. Sam Simmonds – 8 out of 10

Watching the game back, you would not believe that Simmonds was making just his third appearance. Strong running and dogged work in the breakdown saw him stand out in the absence of England’s two recognised No 8s.

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Adding to Wasps’ woes is the news that playmaker Jimmy Gopperth will also miss 10 to 12 weeks of the season due to a knee injury.

Director of rugby Dai Young revealed on Tuesday that following scans the trio would be ruled out for at least a month and while none of them needs an operation, they are unavailable until February at the earliest.

Hughes and Gopperth have MCL injuries and Daly has been struck down by a high ankle sprain.

They will sit out Aviva Premiership fixtures against Gloucester, Bath, Saracens, London Irish and Leicester and the climatic rounds of the Champions Cup group phase against Ulster and Harlequins.

Hughes and Daly have become influential figures for England and Eddie Jones must plan for their return at some stage later in the Six Nations.

The appointment with Scotland on 24 February is the earliest possible match for Hughes’ comeback, while the penultimate round against France on 10 March is the soonest Daly can be considered even if there are no delays in his recovery.

Nathan Hughes will miss at least 10 weeks with a knee injury (Getty)

The absence of Hughes is mitigated by Billy Vunipola’s imminent return from knee surgery and while England are well stocked for wings, Jones will mourn the loss of a player such as Daly.

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