Jersey suffer back-row injury crisis as five players are out

Jersey's hopes of a replacement have been hit by the World Cup

Jersey could be forced to play hookers or backs in their back row, after five of their six recognised options in that position suffered injuries.

James Freeman, Tommy Spinks, Alex Rae, Nick Haining and Charlie Butterworth are set to miss Saturday's home game with Cornish Pirates with injuries that range from concussion to a broken leg.

"We're in serious trouble," said Jersey boss Harvey Biljon.

"It'll either be a hooker playing in the back row or one of our backs."

Jersey lost their opening Championship game 39-22 at Yorkshire Carnegie.

"We've gone into the new season with six back-rows, five of those are not fit and Joe Buckle, who was our cover from hooker into the back-row is out with a long-term knee injury," Biljon told BBC Radio Jersey.

"We've been onto all the Premiership clubs, but with their players playing games, the World Cup coming up and logistically where we are, the two or three outside options we had have had the door closed on them."