To increase French misery, fly-half David Skrela was ruled out of the 21 September clash with Ireland because of a left Achilles tendon injury.

BBC: Laporte defiant after shock loss

Before the game, first team coach Wally Downes denied reports defender Matthew Upson would miss the rest of the season with an Achilles tendon injury.

BBC: Robbie Keane to be sidelined at West Ham for month

Saracens, last season's losing Premiership finalists, want the double Grand Slam winner to fill in for injured fly-half Derick Hougaard, who is set to miss the rest of the season with an Achilles tendon injury.

BBC: Gavin Henson joins Saracens after Ospreys release

England have a couple of other injury worries, with Kevin Pietersen and Graham Onions suffering from Achilles tendon and elbow problems respectively.

BBC: I can complete series - Flintoff

The 35-year-old's injury problems were sparked by a sprain of his knee and a strain of his Achilles tendon during the third round of the Masters in April.

CNN: Injury forces Woods out of U.S. Open