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Northampton Saints confirm Tom Wood was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism last month

Tom Wood of Northampton Saints charges upfield during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Northampton Saints and Saracens at Franklin's Gardens on February 29, 2020 in Northampton, England. - GETTY IMAGES
Tom Wood of Northampton Saints charges upfield during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Northampton Saints and Saracens at Franklin's Gardens on February 29, 2020 in Northampton, England. - GETTY IMAGES

Northampton Saints have confirmed that flanker Tom Wood was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism last month.

Wood, who has won 50 England caps and was a stand-out performer for Chris Boyd’s side in the earlier part of 2019-20 campaign, was treated promptly at Northampton General Hospital.

The 33-year-old was ruled out of the remainder of the season, but has now been cleared to resume non-contact training.

“We’re naturally disappointed that Woody will not be available for when things kick off again on August 16,” said Boyd, Saints’ director of rugby.

“But he’s an excellent professional and we know he’ll rehab diligently to hopefully be back in contention before the end of the current season.”

Before this setback, Wood had triggered a contract extension with Saints by accruing enough game-time before the Premiership was halted in March.

Two months prior to that, he told Telegraph Sport that he had been relishing life in Boyd’s set-up.

“I think I’m enjoying my rugby more now than I ever have,” he said. “That’s partly a symptom of the way the team is playing and the coaching structures, the people around it. It’s also perhaps that I’ve relaxed.

“I can enjoy it these days a little bit more. I’m not worried about what everyone else is doing. I trust everyone else to do their job. I don’t feel like I have to be the fun police or the arbiter of standards.

“I feel like I concentrate on playing really well myself and enjoy every minute I am here, but also get away from rugby in my private life.”

A pulmonary embolism is a blocked blood vessel in the lungs that can become life-threatening if not treated quickly.

Symptoms include pain in the upper chest or back, difficulty breath and coughing up blood.

Northampton have already moved to cover Wood by re-signing Jamie Gibson as injury cover.

Gibson had been released at the end of June when his previous contract expired, as Saints attempted to combat the financial impact of Covid-19.

The former London Irish and Leicester Tigers man will now support a back-row contingent that includes Teimana Harrison, Lewis Ludlam and new signing Shaun Adendorff as well as Courtney Lawes and Nick Isiekwe, on loan from Saracens.

Northampton, fourth in the table and on course to make the play-offs for the second consecutive season, are due to restart their Premiership campaign by hosting Wasps on August 16.