Welsh centre breaks leg in Paris

Worcester Warriors’ historic victory over Stade Francais in Paris has come with a hefty price.

Tom Howe scored a first-half double as Warriors pulled off a shock 38-27 European Challenge Cup bonus-point win at Stade Francais.

Stade had won 23 out of 26 Challenge Cup home games at the pool stage and Worcester arrived in Paris as huge underdogs, having lost their last 11 away matches in the competition as well as being without a win in France for a decade.

The Premiership side upset the Top 14 high-fliers with a brilliant Pool 2 performance on the road, though, Howe crossing for a second time just before the break after Matt Cox scored the opening try.

Ted Hill and Jamie Shillcock also went over in the second half and Jono Lance took his tally with the boot to 13 points, ensuring tries from Kylan Hamdaoui, Laurent Panis and Piet van Zyl were in vain for the 2016-17 Challenge Cup winners.

Sadly the win came at great cost for former Wales centre Ashley Beck. Last night Worcester updated his situation, saying ‘We can confirm that Ashley Beck is in hospital in Paris.

‘His condition is being assessed and we hope to be able to update you when we know more.’

https://twitter.com/WorcsWarriors/status/1051229998831607809

Today they confirmed that he has fractured his leg, which will likely end his season. “We can confirm that Ashley Beck suffered a fractured leg in last night’s win in Paris. He has travelled back with the team today.”

We can confirm that Ashley Beck suffered a fractured leg in last night's win in Paris. He has travelled back with the team today.
We wish @ashbeckz all the best for a speedy recovery. Thank you all for your messages of concern and support ? pic.twitter.com/0vsI3zlK7l

— Worcester Warriors (@WorcsWarriors) October 14, 2018

Beck has played seven times for Wales, having crossed the whitewash on two occasions, with his last appearance coming in 2013.

A product of the Ospreys Academy, Beck played 131 games for the Welsh region, crossing the tryline 28 times, before joining Worcester Warriors this season.

Beck also represented Wales at Under 16, 18 and 20 level and counts Aberavon RFC as a former club.