<strong>David Slemen</strong> was concussed following a collision involving our own Dan Luger and London Irish full back Michael Horak in Saturday's Powergen Cup semi-final. David was taken to hospital as a precaution but was found to be fine. However, he will be unavailable for selection for the next three weeks due to the concussion. David will be back for the game against Bristol Shoguns on Sunday 31st March.<br /> <br />As a result of David's injury, on Saturday evening we spoke with the England 7's Management team and asked for <strong>Ben Gollings</strong> to be withdrawn from the Beijing tournament this weekend. Ben will join the squad for the trip to Hong Kong next Monday.
Chris Spice, RFU Performance Director, was contacted by mobile phone from our changing room immediately after the London Irish game to advise him on both
Pat Sanderson's injury and of our request to withdraw Ben from the 7's squad. On Sunday, both Mike Scott and Mark Evans had conversations with Chris and these were followed by telephone conversations with RFU Chief Executive Francis Baron on Monday morning.
Pat has damaged the medial ligaments in his knee and will miss the rest of this season. We are still awaiting the results of his scan to see if the cruciate ligaments remain intact. Providing the cruciate ligaments have not been damaged then Pat should be fit for the beginning of next season.
Steve White-Cooper took a knock to the head on Saturday which resulted in him leaving the field. However, he has been passed fit by our medical team and is available for selection for this Saturday's (16th March 2002) game against Newcastle Falcons in the Zurich Premiership, kick-off 3.00pm at the Stoop.
Keith Wood took part in training yesterday and a decision on his availability for this Saturday will be made later this week.
