English Rugby
Hougaard set for lengthy lay-off
ESPNscrum Staff
October 17, 2010
Saracens' Derick Hougaard is stretchered from the field, Saracens v Leinster, Heineken Cup, Wembley stadium, London, England, October 16, 2010
Hougaard is stretchered from the field during his side's Heineken Cup loss to Leinster at Wembley Stadium © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Derick Hougaard
Teams: England | Saracens

Saracens fly-half Derick Hougaard is set for several months on the sidelines after his club confirmed he sustained a ruptured Achilles tendon during his side's Heineken Cup loss to Leinster at Wembley Stadium.

The Springbok international was stretchered from the field in the second half of the Premiership side's 25-23 defeat but the blow to their euro prospects was over-shadowed by the injury to their inform playmaker.

A subsequent statement on the club's website confirmed initial fears regarding the serious nature of the injury. "Saracens fly half Derick Hougaard left the field early in the second half of the Heineken Cup round 2 clash against Leinster at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

"Hougaard appears to have sustained a ruptured Achilles tendon and he will undergo surgery on Monday. The injury will see him ruled out for a number of months. A further update will be available following the surgery."

An Achilles injury suffered by Leicester fly-half Toby Flood last year sidelined the England international for six months and a similar lay-off would be a huge blow to Saracens' title aspirations at home and in Europe.

Rising star Alex Goode has shared the fly-half duties with Hougaard this season, starting the first two Premiership games of the season as part of coach Brendan Venter's rotation policy, with the 22-year-old set to fill the void on a more permanent basis for the foreseeable future.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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