Bradley sweating over backrow injuries

CONNACHT COACH Michael Bradley is sweating on the fitness of his backrow with Mike McComish and Ray Ofisa doubtful for the trip to Montpellier.

Neither featured in the 46-6 win over Olympus Rugby Madrid last Friday night, but Bradley is hopeful they may be available for their crucial Challenge Cup match in France.

Montpellier’s shock 22-17 win in Worcester – the first time they have won in 11 trips to Britain – has thrown the pool wide open.

“We are monitoring the fitness of the lads at the moment, but both Mike and Ray would have to be regarded as very doubtful,” said Bradley.

Connacht have beaten Montpellier in four of their six meetings, including a 19-13 win away four seasons ago, and Bradley is hopeful that they can get a result. “It is a very important match. We know we will have to improve on our display against Olympus Madrid, but we have been to Montpellier several times in recent seasons and know what to expect and what we will need to produce to get a result,” added Bradley.

Meanwhile, England captain Steve Borthwick has admitted he had feared the worst after being kicked in the eye by Gloucester hooker Olivier Azam.

Borthwick was eventually cleared of any serious injury but only after a “nervous” few hours as doctors carried out tests on his eyeball and his eye-socket.

It was not until the morning after the incident that specialists at Moorfields Eye Hospital were able to clear Borthwick of a fractured orbital.

Azam was suspended for 12 weeks after pleading guilty to kicking an opponent, but he has lodged an appeal, which will be heard tomorrow night.

Borthwick’s eye is still bloodshot, but he is desperate to be back in action and will play for Saracens in Thursday night’s Challenge Cup trip to Jonny Wilkinson’s Toulon.

“I am good to go. It has healed really well,” said Borthwick. “It was a nervous time. The eye swelled shut immediately so I couldn’t see anything and it had taken a bang so it was numb and I couldn’t feel anything.

“I was very alarmed by it. I spent that night in hospital and they told me as early as possible that everything was okay.

“They said the eyeball itself was healthy but they had surgery booked for the next day because they were 95 per cent certain I had a fracture.

“Thankfully the next morning when they did more tests they said there was no fracture and that the eye just needed to heal.

“It took several days to open up, but I have got my vision back and as a rugby player I am desperate to play rugby, so I am really looking forward to getting back involved later this week.”

Borthwick fired some choice words to Azam as he left the field at Vicarage Road after the incident.

The pair have “spoken briefly” since then but Borthwick would not comment further because of the Frenchman’s pending appeal.

The original disciplinary panel accepted Azam’s claim that he had lashed out with his right leg in an attempt to free his left ankle, which was being twisted at the bottom of a ruck.