England hooker Rob Webber faces a race against time to be fit for England’s RBS 6 Nations opener against Scotland at Twickenham on February 2 after going under the knife to correct a shoulder problem.
The Bath man will be out of action until the New Year after undergoing surgery on a recurring shoulder problem.
It is Webber’s second operation on a torn rotator cuff muscle suffered during England’s Six Nations 24-22 victory against France in March.
The 26-year-old tweeted: “I’m gutted to be missing the start of the Premiership due to needing a shoulder op. Not the start i wanted in @bathrugby colours at all! Hopefully the operation combined with some solid rehab will fix the problem and i can crack on and get stuck in in BB&W for @bathrugby!”
The hooker will miss England’s autumn internationals, giving him an uphill battle to cement his place in Stuart Lancaster’s Six Nations squad with Dylan Hartley likely to retain the No.2 shirt.
Former England coach and current Bath first-team coach Mike Ford confirmed that the 3-times-capped Webber has had surgery and that the club must look forward.
“Rob’s had a second operation on his shoulder. But that’s the nature of the game and it means a door can open for another player. You’ve just got to get on the horse,” he said.
