Skinner set for spell on the sidelines

By Mark Stevens
19/9/19

Sam Skinner will be out of action until the New Year with a hamstring injury suffered in Scotland’s Rugby World Cup warm-up win over France last month.

After the Exeter Chiefs forward picked up the injury on August 24, Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend said he hoped Skinner would only be out of action for four-to-six weeks.

However, Exeter boss Rob Baxter has this week revealed the injury was worse than first feared.

“He’s had an operation for what was a pretty severe injury,” Baxter said. “He’s going to be out for 12 to 16 weeks.”

The six-cap forward may now be a doubt for the start of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations.

“It’s disappointing for him, but he’s a young guy who has excelled a lot over the last 12 months and his international future and his Premiership future is still there ahead of him,” added Exeter Director of Rugby Baxter.