England 'devastated' for Lawrence as Achilles injury puts Lions place in doubt
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England fly-half Fin Smith has described Ollie Lawrence's Achilles injury, which threatens to rule him out of the British and Irish Lions' tour to Australia, as "heartbreaking".
Lawrence was carted off just nine minutes into England's 47-24 Six Nations victory over Italy on Sunday, a result that kept their championship hopes alive.
England sit just a point behind title favourites France in the standings ahead of Saturday's trip to Wales, with this the first time since their 2020 triumph that they have been in championship contention approaching the final matchday.
But the nasty injury suffered by Lawrence cast a cloud over the victory, and it is feared he could miss between nine and 12 weeks if he is found to have ruptured his Achilles.
"It's an Achilles injury. We'll know more in the next 48 hours once he has the scan and sees a specialist," head coach Steve Borthwick said at his post-match press conference.
"Fingers crossed it's not as severe as we fear it might be. He'll get the very best care from the best people.
"It looks like it could be a really tough injury. I am hesitant to say exactly without any detailed assessment of it in terms of the scans, but it looks like it's a tough injury."
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Lawrence was widely considered a contender to make the Lions' squad for their tour of Australia, which begins in three months' time.
And the centre's former Worcester Warriors club-mate Smith says everyone in the England camp is gutted for him.
"When you see one of your best mates potentially losing the chance to go on a Lions tour, it breaks your heart," Smith said.
"We're all absolutely devastated for him. I've got everything crossed that the scans say it's not too bad, but it is not looking brilliant. He is absolutely devastated."
