Craig Dowd Out Of Heineken Final

London Wasps’ hopes of winning the Heineken Cup and retaining the Premiership title were dealt a severe blow by an injury that rules out Craig Dowd for the remainder of the season.

London Wasps’ hopes of winning the Heineken Cup and retaining the Premiership title were dealt a severe blow by an Achilles tendon injury suffered by Craig Dowd that rules him out of the side for the remainder of the season.

The former All Black prop who according to Wasps’ coach Warren Gatland “is the cornerstone of our pack,” suffered the injury in the Premiership encounter with Gloucester at Kingsholm last Saturday.

Initially it was believed that the injury was no more than a slight calf strain when Dowd was stretched off in a contest that Wasps eventually lost 28-25.

Gatland is confident however that replecement Tim Payne will fill the gap left by the experienced Dowd.
“Tim has played particularly well for us whenever called on this season. I have full confidence in him and in his ability to fill Craig’s position.”