 Thompson suffered the injury against Llanelli |
Northampton hooker Steve Thompson has become the latest England injury doubt a week before their Six Nations opener in Italy. Thompson was not even fit enough to attempt a fitness test on his injured ankle before Saints' Premiership win over Rotherham.
"He couldn't run or work in the pool with it, so I don't know what the prognosis is," said coach Wayne Smith.
Thompson faces a week of intensive physiotherapy in a bid to be fit.
There was better news for England coach Sir Clive Woodward though in the form of Matt Dawson.
The Saints scrum-half turned in a lively display in his first Premiership match for nearly two months. Woodward was at Gloucester to monitor the form of several England hopefuls, including Dawson's scrum-half rival Andy Gomarsall.
Centre Henry Paul did his cause no harm with a polished performance.
But wing James Simpson-Daniel, who has a rib injury which prevented him training all week, looks unlikely to be considered after failing a late fitness test. England assistant coach Andy Robinson was at Bath, where Olly Barkley had a mixed outing with three missed penalties, while Alex King excelled in defence for Wasps.
"I thought that Olly played well," said Bath director of rugby John Connolly. "He is improving with every game."
Three of the candidates to replace retired captain Martin Johnson - Bath duo Steve Borthwick and Danny Grewcock and Wasps' Simon Shaw - were also under scrutiny.
Wasps director of rugby Warren Gatland believes Shaw should get the nod. "I think he is a perfect replacement for Martin Johnson," Gatland said.
"He is so strong in the line-outs, rucks and mauls - and he has done a great job for us."
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I think Simon Shaw is a perfect replacement for Martin Johnson 