Aviva Premiership Rugby Football Union club the London Irish have been dealt a major blow as Tom Homer has been ruled out of the start of the new season of the Premiership with a severe groin strain.
The Exiles player was part of the squad that faced their London rivals The Wasps in a pre-season friendly but Homer collapsed barely five minutes into the match as he attempted the club’s first kick towards goal, writhing in agony as the club suffered a 30-12 defeat at the hands of their bitter rivals. The 23 year old had to be carried off the pitch and scans this week have revealed a significant injury and doctors have ruled out the player from the first few matches of the season at least.
Homer will see a specialist again who will determine whether he requires surgery for the condition. Homer will miss the start of the season with the London Irish taking on Saracens FC and the London double header in 10 days’ time at Twickenham Stoop and there are fears that he could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Brian Smith, the Director of Rugby at the club admitted that it didn’t look good after he went down attempting the first kick of the game. He mentioned that the injury has come out of the blue as Homer enjoyed a stellar pre-season training with the club. Smith mentioned they will know how long the player will be sidelined once they have spoken to specialists about the condition.
But the London Irish boss is still not worried at the apparently long absence of the player as he believes he has plenty of firepower in the side to replace him and he just wishes the player can come back from injury and lift the club in the latter stages.