Anthony Watson prioritises Leicester Tigers over England following return from injury - 'I just want to play pain-free'

Anthony Watson is one of England's outstanding finishers, but his career has been blighted by a series of challenging injuries. The winger is now back on the scoresheet with Leicester Tigers having recovered from his most recent injury lay-off. However, he is prioritising playing "pain-free" for Leicester Tigers over a return to the international stage with England for the time being.

England winger Anthony Watson insists he is focusing on playing for Leicester Tigers rather than on a return to international rugby after recovering from a series of injuries.

Issues with his calf, Achilles and back limited the 56-cap international to just three appearances for club and country between May 2023 and the start of the new Gallagher Premiership season.

However, Watson has featured in two of Leicester's three fixtures this term and will start on the wing when they face defending champions Northampton Saints, live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Saturday.

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Watson says he is far from finished on the international stage, but that his priority is getting back to his best for his club.

"I wouldn't say it's motivating me or is on my horizon [international rugby], and that is not out of disrespect or putting them to one side, or saying that part of my career is done at all," Watson told BBC Radio Leicester.

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Watson continued: "Where I'm at right now, I just want to play pain-free.

"I want to give back to the people who have supported me to get me back fit and play well for myself, my family, and also the fans who have been around asking where I've been for the last 18 months.

"That is where my focus is. I just want to play rugby, play well and whatever happens after that happens.

"There were times in January and February when I couldn’t sit down and couldn’t stand up because I was in a lot of pain.

"It was the most frustrating rehab I've done because of how debilitating it was."

Watson scored his first try of the new campaign in his side's 42-10 triumph over Newcastle Falcons last weekend.

The back made his international debut in 2014 and is one of England's most dangerous attacking talents, but his career has been blighted by injuries.

He described his latest road to recovery as "horrendous" and was quick to thank the staff at Leicester for their patience.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

"There was nothing we could do to settle it down [his back]," he added.

"I ended up having to have surgery on my back and then there were complications with that, and it took a long time, a lot of support from staff here - who were amazing - and patience, which I'm not very good at, and we were able to turn it around.

"It was a horrendous road, six or seven months, I'll be honest.

"It was frustrating, and it was bigger than just a muscle injury or a tendon strain - it was more serious."

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