Rugby-England fullback Watson out until New Year with knee injury

England full-back Anthony Watson is unlikely to play again this year after damaging a knee ligament in Bath's 15-9 defeat by Harlequins in the Champions Cup on Saturday, the English Premiership club has said. Watson, who was part of England's squad at the World Cup in Japan, did not need surgery and should return to training around the Christmas or New Year period, it added.

"The collision-based demands of our game are tough and it is never easy to see a player leave the field with an injury," Bath director of Rugby Stuart Hooper said in a statement https://www.bathrugby.com/news/injury-update-anthony-watson-and-charlie-ewels. "We are pleased however that in Anthony's case, his injury is not as serious as first thought."

Lock Charlie Ewels picked up a similar injury during the match and is due to see a specialist later on Wednesday, the club said. Bath, who are eighth in the 12-team Premiership, host Saracens on Friday.