Casualty Ward: Leeds Rhinos blow, Havard and Hoy suffer hamstring injuries & Williams update
James Donaldson (Leeds), Ethan Havard (Wigan) and George Williams (Warrington) feature in this week's Casualty Ward
Keep up to date with the latest injury news in Casualty Ward, this week including Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Hull FC and Warrington Wolves.
Leeds Rhinos blow
Leeds Rhinos will be without utility forward James Donaldson for Friday’s visit of Hull KR.
The 31-year-old failed a head injury assessment in Sunday’s 16-14 win at Salford, meaning the return to play concussion protocol sees him miss out this week.
Havard hamstring injury
Wigan Warriors lost England international prop Ethan Havard in the early stages of their 27-26 defeat at Wakefield Trinity due to a hamstring injury.
Speaking to Wigan Today after the game, Wigan coach Matt Peet said: “Ethan has strained his hamstring but to what degree we don’t know. They’re never normally one week things.”
Peet confirmed that centre Jake Wardle was rested for the Wakefield game, with Peet opting to give Iain Thornley some game time.
Castleford star suffers suspected dislocated thumb
Castleford coach Andy Last said utility back Jordan Turner suffered a suspected dislocated thumb in their 34-16 defeat to Leigh Leopards on Friday night.
St Helens forward passes HIA
St Helens coach Paul Wellens reported a clean bill of health following their 24-20 win at Warrington on Friday night, with promising prop George Delaney having passed his head injury assessment.
Williams injury update
Warrington Wolves coach Daryl Powell says there’s a chance that George Williams could make his return from a hamstring injury against Wigan on Friday.
Powell also provided an update on why winger Josh Thewlis didn’t play in their 24-20 defeat to St Helens, saying: “He trained the other day, and there were a couple of things.
“I just thought he looked like he was off with his knee.
“He’s been strapped up pretty heavily for the last three or four weeks and he’s been doing a great job for us.
“But he looked off in training. He’s one of those players who’s not going to tell you that he’s injured or needs a breather. I thought for him it was the right time.”
Meanwhile, Connor Wrench was 18th man for the Saints defeat, with Powell adding: “He’s had a little bit of a back (issue).
“I just had a feel for Greg Minikin and that he was ready to play. I’ve just gone with people who I feel are probably highly motivated and a little bit fitter and fresher than those two young guys. Josh in particular definitely needed a rest.”
Huddersfield forward suffers dislocated elbow
Huddersfield Giants claimed an impressive win over Catalans Dragons, but it came at a cost with Harvey Livett being dealt an injury blow.
Utility man Livett left the action early in Huddersfield’s 22-14 win over league leaders Catalans in the south of France on Saturday night.
The club provided an update on Livett on Sunday morning, saying he has been discharged from hospital and will be assessed further once they land back in England.
Mourge’s ankle knock
Catalans Dragons star Arthur Mourgue left the action early in their 22-14 defeat to Huddersfield with what looked like an ankle problem, but the timeframe of the injury has yet to be revealed.
Hoy hamstring injury
Hull FC full-back Tex Hoy suffer a recurrence of his recent hamstring injury in their 16-6 win over Hull KR, which is likely to rule him out for a number of weeks.
Meanwhile, Andre Savelio (quad) and Liam Sutcliffe (knee) were late withdrawals from the side who played in the Hull derby after failing fitness tests.
Hull KR key man sidelined
Hull KR suffered a blow to key forward Kane Linnett in their defeat to Hull FC, with the Scotland international failing a head injury assessment.
As a result, Linnett has been ruled out of Friday’s trip to Leeds due to the return to play concussion protocol.
Rowley provides the latest on duo
Salford Red Devils coach Paul Rowley provided the injury latest on Marc Sneyd and Kallum Watkins following their loss to Leeds Rhinos on Sunday.
England international Sneyd had his knee strapped up at half-time of their 16-14 defeat to Leeds and went back on the field in the second half before leaving the action in the latter stages.
Speaking in his post-match press conference immediately after the game, Rowley said it was too early to determine what the injury was, with the talismanic half-back to be assessed further in the coming days.
The Red Devils boss provided an update on skipper and England star Watkins, who didn’t play in their defeat to his old club Leeds on Sunday.
On Watkins, Rowley said: “He’s got an injury – probably best case scenario is five (weeks), worst case (the) season, so I’ll tell you when we know.”
Keep up to date with all the latest injury news in Super League with our Casualty Ward feature, out every Monday.