England boss Shaun Wane is in danger of missing Saturday’s mid-season international against France having unexpectedly undergone surgery last night.
The 59 year-old underwent a minor operation on his ankle which meant he was absent when his squad met up for training in Wigan today. They fly out to France on Friday ahead of the clash in Toulouse but it is not yet certain Wane will be fit enough to make the trip.
Matters are further muddied because his No2 - Catalans assistant Andy Last - is currently in France and has had complications with his own flight back to England.
He is not due to land in the UK until later today so senior players were due to take some ownership of this afternoon’s training session. Wane named a 20-man squad on Monday including six potential debutants.
The ex-Wigan boss underwent knee surgery for an old playing injury shortly before the World Cup in 2022 which saw him take some sessions while still using crutches.
Officials hope he will be able to link up with the squad tomorrow in time to take control of the squad as they undertake their first game since last autumn’s 3-0 series whitewash of Tonga.
The France fixture is their only scheduled game before the autumn’s two-Test series with Samoa.