AJ MacGinty's injury could well mean his debut as captain of the Eagles is delayed ... possibly for a while.

MacGinty set up two tries for Sale and scored the third in a 20-19 loss to Exeter on June 12, but sustained a leg injury just before the end of the game and had to be stretchered off. He missed this past weekend's rematch with Exeter in the Premiership playoffs, which Exeter won.

A serious candidate for league MVP, MacGinty has been in excellent form for Sale. As Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson told reporters: “AJ has been absolutely mercurial, he has been brilliant for us. He has played some of his best rugby, and he will be sorely missed."

There's been some talk about maybe surgery, but it's likely MacGinty will try to avoid that in order to be fit for the USA games against England on July 4 and Ireland July 10, but that July 4 game, especially, looks highly doubtful.

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