Walder Out For Six Months

By Ridley
August 26 2002

Dave Walder has broken his right leg and will be out for at least six months. The full back was stetchered off after a collision just before half time in the friendly at Edinburgh. It was hoped he'd suffered only bad bruising to his shin but there is a break.

Fortunately Dave didn't need surgery but he is in plaster and will miss most of the season.

Its another dilemma for Rob Andrew who now has to decide whether new signing Joe Shaw goes to 1,5 or whether to persevere with Liam Botham. Either way both players will figure more then expected.

But the big issue will be who deputises for Jonny Wilkinson when he is away preparing for the World Cup? Walder was the stand-in at 10 and at goalkicker. There is not an obvious replacement in the junior ranks.

Under 21 Peter Murphy was tipped as a rising star but he has been allowed to leave the club.

With the season only a week away most of the talent has been snapped up unless Rob looks to the southern hemisphere.