'There's a hint of censorship... but I promise you didn't want to see the replay'

BT Sport commentator Nick Mullins has said that the broadcaster didn’t show the replay of Elliott Stooke’s leg injury during last night’s Wasps and Sale Gallagher Premiership game as it was simply too gruesome.

Sale Sharks came away 16-7 victors following a comeback victory at the Coventry Building Society Stadium, but the injury to the big forward cast a pall over the game.

Stooke was left in agony on the floor with a horrific leg injury in the 40th minute.

After being attended to by medics he was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by James Gaskell. Stooke was taken to University Hospital and has since been discharged.

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Looks like a nasty one for Wasps Elliott Stooke.

Wishing him all the best for a quick and full recovery.#GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/4PUeTL0aW9

— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) May 20, 2022

BT Sport took the decision not to broadcast the replay and veteran comms man Mullins explained way.

‘Thoughts with Elliott Stooke this morning. I guess there’s a hint of censorship about it when we occasionally take these decisions, but I promise you didn’t want to see the replay. Been huge for Wasps…As Oz says, a contender for Prem XV of the season.’

Thoughts with Elliott Stooke this morning. I guess there’s a hint of censorship about it when we occasionally take these decisions, but I promise you didn’t want to see the replay. Been huge for Wasps…As Oz says, a contender for Prem XV of the season. https://t.co/rfHoN5oiLB

— Nick Mullins (@andNickMullins) May 21, 2022

Commenting after the game, Lee Blackett said: “It doesn’t look great, does it? It’s a lower leg injury and it looks pretty serious.”

Wasps this morning confirmed the extent of the injury: “We can confirm that Elliott Stooke sustained a fibula fracture in yesterday’s Gallagher Premiership match vs Sale Sharks. He was taken to University Hospital and has since been discharged. Thank you to everyone for their well wishes.”

We can confirm that Elliott Stooke sustained a fibula fracture in yesterday’s Gallagher Premiership match vs Sale Sharks.

He was taken to University Hospital and has since been discharged.

Thank you to everyone for their well wishes.

? https://t.co/9LOAY5Jeu2 pic.twitter.com/Jz16MdUcxq

— Wasps Rugby (@WaspsRugby) May 21, 2022

Stooke took to Twitter himself to thank those that helped him: “Massive thanks to all the Medical team last night Wasps and ambulance staff as well as hospital, you were incredible. Back home and feeling positive about recovery process, i’ll be back in no time. Appreciate the love shown from everyone who’s messaged, means a lot.”

Massive thanks to all the Medical team last night @WaspsRugby and ambulance staff as well as hospital, you were incredible ?? back home and feeling positive about recovery process, il be back in no time ? appreciate the love shown from everyone who’s messaged, means a lot ?? https://t.co/sswlEn7wjk

— Elliott Stooke (@elliottstooke) May 21, 2022

Stooke – who signed for Wasps in 2021 – began his career at Gloucester Rugby, before moving to West Country rivals Bath in 2016. The Worcester-born lock was the fastest player to reach 100 appearances in Bath’s history.

The six-foot six-inch forward was called up to England’s Six Nations Squad in March 2019, whilst he also featured in England’s summer fixture against the Barbarians in both 2018 and 2019.

Earlier in his career Stooke appeared for England Saxons, as well as being part of England Under 20s Junior World Championship winning side of 2013.