Watson started five of England's six games at last year's Rugby World Cup
Champions Cup Pool Three |
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Bath (14) 19 |
Tries: Walker, Hamer-Webb, Willison Cons: Burns 2 |
Harlequins (12) 25 |
Tries: J Chisholm, Ibitoye, Dombrandt Cons: Herron 2 Pens: Herron 2 |
England winger Anthony Watson suffered yet another injury as he limped out of Bath's dead-rubber defeat by Harlequins in the Champions Cup.
The 25-year-old, who has battled Achilles tendon problems in the past two seasons and a recent knee injury, was replaced on 51 minutes.
England's Six Nations campaign starts away to France on 2 February.
Quins' number eight Alex Dombrandt got the game's decisive try in front of watching England coach Eddie Jones.
The international hopeful sprinted clear in typically forceful style to open up a 22-14 lead for the visitors on 56 minutes and, while Jackson Willison crossed for Bath soon after, the hosts could never quite close the gap.
In an evenly-matched first half, Bath's pack had shoved Jack Walker over for an early score before Quins responded in kind as James Chisholm scored from a catch and drive.
Gabriel Ibitoye scored for the visitors after a searing break from Aaron Morris but Gabe Hamer-Webb dived in at the corner to edge Bath 14-12 clear at the break.
Harlequins had injury worries of their own as captain Chris Robshaw was forced from the fray just before half-time, but the successful return to action for Kyle Sinckler - after the England prop missed their defeat to Sale - will have cheered both Quins coach Paul Gustard and Jones.
Bath: Watson, Hamer- Webb, Wright, Willison, Brew, Burns, Green, Boyce, Walker, Judge, Garvey, R. Davies, Ellis, Williams, Bayliss.
Replacements: De Glanville for Watson (51), Noguera for Boyce (56), Batty for Walker (53), Nixon for Judge (65), Douglas for Garvey (70), Merigan for Williams (66).
Not used: Fox, A. Davies.
Harlequins: Morris, Goneva, Northmore, Lasike, Ibitoye, Herron, Care, Marler, Crumpton, Sinckler, Lamb, Cavubati, J. Chisholm, Robshaw, Dombrandt.
Replacements: R. Chisholm for Goneva (60), Saunders for Care (56), Garcia Botta for Marler (70), Musk for Crumpton (78), Collier for Sinckler (56), Young for Cavubati (60).
Not used: Kunatani, Penny.
Att: 12,059
Ref: Pascal Gauzere (France).
