BBC SPORT | ENGLISH | Balshaw and Tindall out

Bath's Mike Tindall and Iain Balshaw have both been ruled out of Saturday's clash with west-country rivals Gloucester.

Balshaw damaged ankle ligaments during training on Wednesday, and is expected to be out of action for six to eight weeks.

His England colleague Tindall is suffering from twisted knee ligaments, and will miss the rest of the season.

Balshaw's loss in particular is a major blow for Team Director Michael Foley, as the 23-year-old had just begun to show the form that won him a place on the 2001 Lions tour.

Tindall told BBC Sport Online that the players were wondering who else would be struck down by Bath's injury jinx.

Mike Tindall
Tindall's absence leaves Bath with two fit centres

"Someone up there clearly doesn't like us, to lose five international backs is unbelievable," he said.

"The mood in the camp is a bit down but we can't dwell on it - we have to pick ourselves up."

Bath have now lost five of their first choice backs through injury for the rest of the season, and will visit Gloucester with a backline with an average age of 20.

21-year-old Sam Cox is the likely replacement for Tindall in the centres, with Olly Barkley moving back to fly-half in place of Balshaw.

Bath's major problem this season has been an inability to score tries, a factor Tindall puts down to the youth of the squad.

"We have really missed the likes of Mike Catt and Matt Perry this season," he said.

The youngsters have had to learn a lot this season

Mike Tindall

"We have been creating opportunities for scores but not finishing them off, and that comes down to having young heads.

"The youngsters have had to learn a lot this season, they have had to grow up overnight."

Despite these setbacks, Tindall believes Bath can get a result at Kingsholm on Saturday, and has words of encouragement for the club's fans.

"The supporters have been absolutely awesome this season," he said.

"They have really got behind the team - and if there is anywhere we all want to get a result at it's Gloucester."


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