England Rugby
Youngs goes under the knife
ESPNscrum Staff
July 1, 2011
England scrum-half Ben Youngs rides a tackle, England v France, Six Nations, Twickenham, London, England, February 26, 2011
Youngs has gone under the knife just 69 days before the Rugby World Cup kicks off in New Zealand © PA Photos
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Leicester and England scrum-half Ben Youngs is expected to be out for between six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery on his left knee.

Youngs went under the knife earlier this week to trim the cartilage in his left knee and while the 21-year-old is expected to make a full recovery he will miss much of the remainder of England's Rugby World Cup build-up at their Pennyhill Park training base in Surrey.

Capped 12 times since his debut against Scotland in the 2010 Six Nations, Youngs has been Martin Johnson's first-choice scrum-half ever since but now faces intense pressure to prove hit fitness and hold off the challenge of the in-form Danny Care for the England No.9 shirt. Richard Wigglesworth and Joe Simpson are the other scrum-halves in England's initial 45-man World Cup training squad.

A statement from the Rugby Football Union said: "Ben Youngs has had keyhole surgery to trim the cartilage in his left knee. A full recovery is expected as quickly and as safely as possible under the guidance of the operating surgeon. Ben will continue his rehabilitation with the England medics in close consultation with their Leicester Tigers counterparts."

England step up their World Cup preparations in August with match against Wales, home and away, and Ireland with their tournament campaign due to begin against Argentina in Dunedin on September 10.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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