Johann van Graan discuss latest Bath injuries as Alfie Barbeary suffers ‘gutting’ blow
What should have been a jubilant day for Alfie Barbeary and Bath Rugby turned into a potential nightmare for both parties at Welford Road on Saturday when the powerful number eight suffered a fresh injury on his debut.
Barbeary, 22, came off the bench in the 37th minute to make his first Bath appearance in the Blue, Black and White after joining the club in November following the death of Wasps. The backrower has been out since September after suffering a horrific hamstring injury in the second game of the season with Wasps that required surgery.
Barbeary, who replaced South African Jaco Coetzee, who had just recovered from an ankle injury, immediately impressed in the 48-27 loss to the Tigers as he demonstrated his ability to cross the win line and attack gaps. But a powerful carry from the base of a scrum saw Bath number eight take a deep knee hack from Welsh international flanker Tommy Reffell and his left knee appeared to buckle slightly.
The medical team, led by Rory Murray, attempted to treat Barbeary on the pitch by applying harnesses, but as soon as the tall forward attempted to run for his injured limb, he let out a cry of pain and was found dead after just 10 minutes pitch withdrawn.
Van Graan said: “In the first moments backwards he did some powerful carries and then it was a crazy collision. Alfie looked like the player we brought to Bath specifically to dominate collisions and get us over the advantage line.
“You could see his reaction [to coming off]he was so gutted.
“I don’t want to speculate, but it doesn’t look good.
“I can’t imagine this is anything but serious and the pain is somewhere between the knee and the ankle.
“The worst thing for me is that it’s just coming from a carry from the base of a scrum.”
Van Graan added: “He plays such a big part in what I’m trying to build for the future of this club.”
Bath also lost strikers Sam Underhill, Will Stuart and Jaco Coetzee to head injuries that will almost certainly rule them out of the trip to Franklin’s Gardens on Friday night to face Northampton Saints.
“They don’t all look good at all,” said Van Graan after the final whistle.
England international Underhill is always particularly concerned about headbutts, having suffered multiple concussions throughout his career.
Meanwhile, England international great Joe Cokanasiga is expected to be out for around four weeks after suffering knee and ankle injuries against Bristol Bears a week earlier.
While Cokanasiga is obviously a loss, being sidelined for just a month isn’t as bad as first feared, given the back had previously been sidelined for months with a serious knee problem he picked up on international duty at Rugby World Cup 2019 in 2019 had.
Another official injury update is expected from Bath next week when more information is available.