Boyd discusses Lawes and Biggar injuries after Saints' defeat to Sale

And Boyd also gave his take on Dan Biggar after the Wales fly-half was forced to limp off during the second half.

Lawes was replaced after just eight minutes of the match, with Nick Isiekwe coming on for the England lock, who was helped from the field.

And Boyd said: "I can't give you any medical information as yet but Courtney has got an ankle injury.

"It looks pretty ginger to me and I wouldn't be overly hopeful of a fast return but I can't give you any medical information other than he sustained a heavy blow to the ankle.

"It's precaution that anybody who gets any sort of ankle problem will be put in a boot and on crutches just to take the weight off it and they'll do it for 24 hours.

"I suspect he'll go off tomorrow morning to get a scan and see the extent of that.

"It's unfortunate for Courtney and in the short term it may be unfortunate for England.

"I can't quantify that injury as yet."

On Biggar, Boyd said: "He's significantly better than Courtney because he's got a corked thigh and it was uncomfortable for him to run.

"I expect it's a soft tissue injury and it won't prevent him from being involved with Wales to any extent, I wouldn't have thought."

Saints also lost Rory Hutchinson to injury as he was forced to withdraw with an ankle problem before the match.