Northampton prop Davison to have surgery

Northampton Saints and England prop Trevor Davison is unlikely to play again this season because he needs surgery on a knee injury.

The 33-year-old was hurt during last weekend's 21-17 win at Saracens, which kept them on top of the Prem table.

Davison was not the only casualty with England fly-half Fin Smith now subject to head injury protocols and fellow prop Manny Iyogun needing treatment following a back spasm.

Saints return to European Champions Cup action against French club Castres on Friday and will have to rely on Luke Green, Cleopas Kundiona, Elliot Millar Mills and Sonny Tonga'uiha to fill any gaps at prop.

Davison's injury follows last month's setback when young Italy wing Edoardo Todaro was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after damaging a knee in training.

Northampton have won three of their four Champions Cup games, while Castres have a 2-2 record in their group.

Saints beat them twice at Franklin's Gardens in last season's competition, but director of rugby Phil Dowson told BBC Radio Northampton they know their opponents will be a huge threat.

"We look at Castres and see a much more attacking outfit that last year, more dangerous individuals than last year, so we know - despite their Top 14 league position - how dangerous they are," Dowson said.

"They rested everybody last week to prime themselves for this weekend and they've got nothing to lose. That's where we find ourselves in the league and in Europe, the pressure's off people because they can come and have a pop at us."