Strettle injury concern

Strettle in agony

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David Strettle could struggle to be fit to return to the England squad after picking up a back injury in Harlequins' 15-15 LV= Cup draw with Scarlets.

The winger, who had been released by Martin Johnson after being omitted from England's matchday 22 against Australia, scored Quins' first try in the fifth minute but was injured in the process and taken off nine minutes later.

"We're waiting to see what the doctors and physios say," reported assistant coach Collin Osborne. "It was a bit of a late drop from a knee after he'd scored. He's seized up a bit but we're hoping he'll be fine.

"He's up and walking but he's got a stiff back - the muscle's spasmed and it's tightened up."

However, Osborne felt his side went off the boil following Strettle's withdrawal.

"Our plan was to put them under pressure from minute one and we executed that part of the plan well, but we took our foot off and thought 'we are so wonderful' and got a bit carried away," he added.

"You switch off for five minutes and they get a little break and their confidence and momentum builds. It's very hard to flick that switch and get back into the ascendancy and we weren't as precise as we'd like."

Emotion

Scarlets' head coach Nigel Davies felt Welsh referee Tim Hayes played a big part in the outcome of the match.

"I was a bit disappointed with some of the referee's decisions," said Davies. "All I ever want is the referee to referee the game and not the emotion, whether that's home or away, and I don't think that happens any more so there was frustration there."

But he declared himself pleased with the youngsters who stepped up to replace his absent Wales internationals.

"They are a very young group of boys and, although I know they are good players coming through the system, you're never quite sure how they will play at this level so I was delighted that they did show up," he added.

"The commitment and enthusiasm has been great and they showed that in the last 20 minutes when they had to dig deep and defend. They stuck at it and got their just rewards."