The injury XV

An embarrassment of crook riches

With injuries at an all-time high, we've had a trawl through the sickbays of the Zurich Premiership and Celtic League and have managed to put together a pretty useful XV composed entirely of the poorly and the broken. A crook Lions XV, if you like.

We've had to improvise a little in the engine room (locks appear to be the hardiest of creatures) but we've had absolutely no trouble filling the other 13 jerseys.

In fact, such is the embarrassment of crook riches, we've actually had no need for injured players of the calibre of Gareth Cooper, Martyn Wood, Ugo Monye and Ayoola Erinle - to name but a few...

Furthermore, we haven't even bothered considered the wounded overseas players, who could easily muster a bandaged outfit of their own.

15: CHRIS PATERSON
Scotland's star utility back is suffering from problems relating to a persistent hip/upper thigh injury.
Estimated return: February 10

14:  TOM PHILIP
The Scotland centre/wing has been struggling with a leg injury for the last couple of months and is in danger of missing the start of his country's Six Nations campaign.
Estimated return: January 25

13: WILL GREENWOOD
The England veteran will be out of action for anything up to four months after undergoing an exploratory operation on his shoulder after Christmas.
Estimated return: March 15

12: MIKE TINDALL
The England vice-captain is sidelined with a stress fracture in his right foot and is expected to be out of action for two months. He also has a shoulder injury that requires surgery.
Estimated return: February 20

11: JAMES SIMPSON-DANIEL
The England wing injured his shoulder at the start of December and underwent surgery after Christmas.
Estimated return: February 1

10: RONAN O'GARA
The Ireland fly-half is expected to be out for three weeks after breaking a bone in his right hand in a Celtic League match.
Estimated return: February 1

9: ROB HOWLEY
The Wales legend was forced to retire from rugby after failing to recover from a wrist injury sustained last season.
Estimated return: never

8: SIMON TAYLOR
The Scotland star has been sidelined for ten months following cruciate knee ligament damage sustained against Ireland in March.
Estimated return: January 16

7: KEITH GLEESON
The Ireland flanker sustained a broken leg during Leinster's pre-season and is not expected back until after the Six Nations.
Estimated return: April 15

6: RICHARD HILL
The talismanic England flanker underwent surgery to reconstruct his anterior cruciate ligament in October and looks set to be out for the whole season.
Estimated return: July 1

5: MARTIN CORRY
The England and Leicester fNo.8 has been ruled out of action with a dislocated elbow.
Estimated return: February 15

4: ALEX SANDERSON
The Saracens and England flanker has been ruled out for four months following surgery to his neck.
Estimated return: May 1
 
3: DAVID FLATMAN
The Bath and England prop David Flatman is battling to rectify a heel problem after a nagging Achilles tendon injury was corrected. He hasn't played for seven months.
Estimated return: February 1

2: JONATHAN HUMPHREYS
The former Wales captain has been struggling with a heel injury, but is said to be almost ready to return to the fray.
Estimated return: January 15

1: TOM SMITH
The Scotland and Lions star has been out of action since the end of October with a knee injury.
Estimated return: January 15