'Really uncomfortable' Wasps prognosis for latest Barbeary injury

All hope that Wasps’ Alfie Barbeary had of finally becoming a capped England international in 2022 has been dashed by his latest injury. The soon-to-be 22-year-old had been part of Eddie Jones’ squads during the Guinness Six Nations and again pre-Australian tour in June without making it into a match day selection.

The next England squad is set to be named this Monday but Barbeary definitely won’t feature on this occasion as the hamstring injury suffered with Wasps in the round two Gallagher Premiership defeat to Bristol last weekend has ruled him out of availability for the November internationals and it might not be until 2023 that he plays for his club again.

Barbeary played the full 80 on opening weekend at Gloucester on September 11 but lasted just 60 minutes last Saturday at home to Bristol and Wasps coach Lee Blackett has now confirmed following Friday’s high-scoring win at Bath that his young back-rower has injured the same hamstring that caused him much trouble during 2021.

“Alfie has done his hamstring, unfortunately. He put himself in a really uncomfortable position last week. That is going to be anything between 10 and 16 weeks,” said Blackett following the 39-31 round three win at The Rec.

It was after a previous Premiership win over Bath last February that Blackett had sung the praises of Barbeary for spending the early part of that week training with England and then returning to play a capable part for Wasps at the weekend.

“It is not easy for players to come back frustrated from an England camp in the middle of a week and rock right back in,” said the coach at the time. “It was why we picked him on the bench and while he came on earlier than anticipated, he put in a big performance. I know England are happy with what they have seen and if he keeps working hard his chance will come whether in this camp or the next one because he has the ability to play international rugby.”

Wasps’ injury woe from the September 17 loss to Bristol was added to by Ali Crossdale, a one-time England prospect while at Saracens. He hurt his groin, a problem that Blackett confirmed requires between four to six weeks of rehabilitation.