- The winger received help during the Champions Cup victory over the Bulls on Saturday
- Furbank, 28, is now waiting for specialist advice on whether he needs surgery.
- Just over six weeks until England face Ireland in Dublin in the first match of the Six Nations
England face the specter of a defensive line disruption at the start of the Six Nations after Northampton confirmed on Tuesday that their captain, George Furbank, has a broken arm.
The 28-year-old full-back was helped during the first half of his club’s epic Champions Cup victory over the Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.
Furbank, who flew back to the UK and underwent a scan, is now waiting for specialist advice on whether or not he will need surgery.
Northampton head coach Sam Vesty said: “He has broken his arm. It (recovery time) can vary so there is nothing concrete about how long it will take. We are not 100 per cent sure what the outcome will be. of that medical evaluation.”
With just over six weeks until England face Ireland in Dublin at the start of the annual championship, there is a very significant prospect of Furbank being ruled out of that match and ‘Le Crunch’ against France at Twickenham seven days later.
It would be a blow to coach Steve Borthwick’s plans as Furbank has become first choice 15th this year and a symbol of England’s tactical expansion.
Northampton confirmed that their captain and England star George Furbank has a broken arm
The 28-year-old full-back was helped during the first half of his club’s epic Champions Cup victory over the Bulls in Pretoria.
It would be a blow to head coach Steve Borthwick’s plans as Furbank has become first choice number 15 this year.
Having been dropped in the last Six Nations, he was a mainstay on the summer tour and played in three of the four Autumn Nations Series matches last month.
However, Furbank was replaced by Freddie Steward for the meeting with world champions South Africa and the speedy Tiger, such a famous asset under the high ball, could have entered the competition to start against the Irish.
Should Furbank become unavailable, Borthwick must consider whether he should revert to Steward as the last line of defense, or resurrect the left field option by moving Marcus Smith there.
The latter scenario is less likely now that the Harlequins playmaker has become so entrenched in the 10, to the point that Northampton’s Fin Smith was barely given a look during the November campaign, which in turn makes it unlikely to be supported. Start in Dublin.
Meanwhile, the Saints must resume their Premiership title defense without their captain.
Vesty added: ‘It’s a big loss. He is a fantastic rugby player. He is the captain of our club and has really taken on that leadership role.
“His counterattacking, his ability to make others look good and his calmness are strong traits of George and have helped him advance a lot.”