Incensed Bath owner slams England camp in wake of latest devastating injury

After the latest England camp injury to Bath prop Beno Obano, Bath Rugby’s millionaire owner Bruce Craig has gone after Eddie Jones’ England camp, questioning their ‘duty of care’ to players.

Yesterday the extent of Obano’s injury emerged.

The prop suffered severe ligament damage in his left knee and was returned to his club for scans and further assessment and now looks set to miss the entirety of the 2018/19 season as a result. According to Bath the prop suffered “multiple ligament and hamstring tendon damage” whilst attending England’s training camp in Brighton.

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Craig told The Times that the level of injuries suffered in England camp was not acceptable.

“The level of injuries in these training camps is totally unacceptable. What is going on in the camp?

“There is obviously an issue because of the number of injuries. There has got to be significant questions asked about duty of care.

“At Bath, we’re not having cruciate ligament injuries in training. I am unsure of whether the players are not being taken to levels that are unacceptable.”

“At Bath, we’re not having cruciate ligament injuries in training. I am unsure of whether the players are not being taken to levels that are unacceptable.”

“These are totally unacceptable injuries,” Craig said, “and it is the nature of them too, these are serious long-term injuries.”

Todd Blackadder said: “Beno went for a scan this week and after consulting with the specialist, will undergo surgery to help repair his injury. This will then be followed by a lengthy spell of rehabilitation.

“We are all feeling Beno’s disappointment – it’s been a breakthrough season for him. It’s upsetting to see that he will miss this chance to show his class at an international level, especially on the back of picking up two end of season Club awards. However I am sure he will be back in the frame in the future.

“We know Beno will do everything he can to get back on the pitch and in the blue, black and white as soon as he can. Whilst this type of injury is complex and can lead to a 12 month lay-off, we are investing in our medical team over the off-season and we are focused on getting Beno back as soon as possible.

“In light of Beno’s injury, we are looking for appropriate cover ahead of starting the 18/19 campaign.”