Rugby Icon Returns to Training: What Recovery Looks Like After Long-Term Injuries

Will Stuart’s injury against Munster has created a sizeable problem for England as they look ahead to the 2026 Six Nations. Bath’s win in the Champions Cup should have been a straightforward afternoon, yet his departure changed the tone completely. He limped off before being helped away in a protective boot, and the reaction from Johan van Graan told its own story. The Bath head of rugby admitted how worried he was after watching Stuart struggle to put weight on his leg. With England already juggling several selection questions, this setback has come at a frustrating point.

Rehabilitation and England’s Tighthead Picture

Long layoffs are part of the sport, but Achilles problems tend to unsettle players more than most. They take time, sometimes far more than supporters appreciate, and they disturb the powerful movements’ props that repeat every day. Stuart’s contributions in the autumn had shown how useful he had become for England’s replacement bench, particularly during tight moments against Australia and the rest of their southern hemisphere opponents. Losing someone reliable in those late-match exchanges changes the feel of England’s front row group. The coaches now face a situation they hoped to avoid during a winter already filled with tactical adjustments.

As rehabilitation begins, the surroundings can make the early workload feel less daunting. Many players use facilities that resemble the best gyms in London, where strength sessions sit alongside recovery stations and therapy tools that ease the stiffness that appears in the first week or two after injury. Environments like these remind injured players that progress often happens in small steps and that reliable equipment can make those steps far smoother. Even something as straightforward as a dedicated mobility corner helps break up the monotony of long treatment days.

England’s selection picture does not offer much breathing space. Joe Heyes has been impressive recently and appears the most likely starter if Stuart fails to recover in time for the opening match with Wales. That said, the coaching staff know the demands of a full championship and will want more than one dependable option. Asher Opoku Fordjour is still working back from his elbow issue. Young players such as Afolabi Fasogbon and Billy Sela have shown glimpses at club level but have limited experience. Trevor Davison sits in a slightly different category, returning to the national picture after several years but still needing minutes to settle.

The first phase of Stuart’s recovery will be slow by design. Achilles injuries often punish anyone who becomes impatient, so physiotherapists usually begin by focusing on calming inflammation and restoring gentle ankle movement. This part of the process can feel tedious because the gains are almost invisible. A bit of soft tissue treatment, some supported steps, and a sequence of controlled exercises form the backbone of those days. Players often find themselves realising just how much they rely on small movements they never usually think about.

Strength work eventually returns, although the early efforts look nothing like Stuart’s usual training. A tighthead needs to drive through the lower body and hips, but that cannot be rushed. Instead, sessions revolve around steady resistance, targeted stability drills, and careful conditioning that keeps his fitness afloat. Bikes, rowers, and other low-impact machines become standbys at this stage. The work is repetitive, but it stops the body from drifting too far from match condition while avoiding damage to the recovering tendon.

Gradually, training returns to the pitch. At first, it’s a few technical drills, some light contact work. After that, there’s a step up in intensity as confidence grows. For a prop, scrummaging is usually the final hurdle because the pressure through the legs is enormous. Data on movement and force output help the staff judge how close Stuart is to the numbers he was producing before the injury. Progress is not always smooth, but every session offers another chance to understand what the Achilles can handle.