Ugo Monye’s hopes of making the World Cup squad are hanging in the balance after the England wing damaged his knee ligaments in 38-32 defeat by the Barbarians.
Monye looked to be sending out a message to boss Martin Johnson when he scored England’s second try at Twickenham.
But the ecstasy of that score soon turned to agony when the he was substituted with a medial collateral ligament strain in his knee.
The extent of the damage will not be known until a scan on Monday but England Saxons coach Stuart Lancaster was quick to look on the bright side.
“He will be assessed in the morning but it doesn’t look too bad,” said Lancaster.
Monye is gunning for one of the wing berths in the England’s World Cup squad with Chris Ashton and Mark Cueto a shoo-in for two of the spots.
And in a bruising encounter more World Cup potentials Matt Banahan and Joe Marler also suffered injuries, with shin problems and concussion respectively, but the duo’s injuries, unlike Monye, were not serious.
On the field, England contrived to throw away a 17-point lead with a last minute try from wing Tim Visser stealing the win.
Despite the result, skipper Luke Narraway did his England World Cup hopes no harm at all, having a key hand in two scores.
“I tried to play to the best of my ability,” said Narraway. “If it is enough to make the World Cup training squad, I’ll be happy.
“This was a massive opportunity because some of those guys were going out there for the first time against world-class opposition.”
