Ward-Smith blow for England

England hopeful Dan Ward-Smith's RBS 6 Nations campaign looks over before it has begun after the Bristol number eight suffered a serious knee injury in the 14-8 win against Northampton at Franklin's Gardens.

Ward-Smith was widely tipped to win his first cap in the tournament opener against Scotland at Twickenham after two seasons of dynamic back-row performances for his club in the Guinness Premiership.

But, 15 minutes into his final game before joining up with England, he was caught in a pile-up on his own line trying to protect the ball and suffered a dislocated right kneecap that may well end his season.

The injury held up play for five minutes as Ward-Smith received oxygen from the medical team, who immobilised the knee before stretchering him off.

England coach Brian Ashton will be cursing his luck after another injury setback - and so will club boss Richard Hill at losing a player whose explosive ball-carrying presence has turned Bristol from also-rans into potential champions over the last two years.

Even without Ward-Smith, they managed to chisel out a scrappy win against the Saints - their first at Franklin's Gardens since November 2001 - by weathering an early storm and hitting back with two second-half scores.

Ward-Smith was odds-on to make his England debut in the Six Nations opener against Scotland at Twickenham next weekend in head Ashton's rejuvenated side.

Instead Ashton may be forced to make a u-turn and recall Martin Corry, who led England in all four autumn internationals before being replaced as captain by Phil Vickery.