SARACENS' Australian World Cup captain Michael Lynagh could be out of action for three months after dislocating his shoulder in yesterday's 36-21 defeat by Wasps at Loftus Road. Lynagh, reputed to be on £100,000 per season, has played just over 100 minutes for Saracens.
Saracens coach Mark Evans said Lynagh would be out for between three weeks and three months, adding: "He is worth every penny we are paying him and it is a damaging blow for us. "Irish prop Paul Wallace also has a shoulder injury."
Rugby director Nigel Melville said: "It was a superb, brilliant start to our home season in front of 8,000 spectators at our new venue."
Paul Burke helped Bristol to a convincing 38-10 victory over Orrell on Saturday and his 18-point tally was only one less than his rival David Humphreys but he missed four of his first seven kicks.
Leicester and Bath between them have been the Courage League champions for the last six years. In their first encounter of the season, The Tigers from the Midlands boosted their championship ambitions with a 28-25. victory which was decided by an ironic twist of fate. Back in May when they last met, Bath won the Pilkington Cup with a penalty try in the last minute. On this occasion Leicester were the benefactors from international referee Ed Morrison's munificence during the last attack of the game.
The West Country club were consistently penalised for infringements but Morrison finally got fed up of Bath's stalling tactics and awarded Leicester five points.
If the league title is going to be won by another club from these two then Harlequins have the hallmarks of a side that can go all the way. There were no points for Jim Staples but again he was in excellent form as his team overcame West Hartlepool 41-21.
In the second division Simon Mason, who has his eyes on usurping Staples as the Ireland number one choice for full back. made his debut for Richmond but failed to impress with his kicking in the 16-16 draw with Coventry.
