24 August 2005
Northampton Saints lock James Percival is on the road to recovery after coming through an operation to stabilise a neck fracture. 

The lock suffered the injury in Friday night’s game against Munster and was flown to Oxford’s Radcliffe Infirmary on Monday ahead of the operation yesterday morning. 

Director of rugby Budge Pountney and head physiotherapist Cliff Eaton went to visit Percival in hospital today. 

Pountney said: “The operation was a total success and there were no complications. He still has a little weakness in his left arm but the surgeon is happy this will come right through the rehabilitation process. We are also pretty sure he will make a full return to rugby. It might take a bit of time but he should be back on the field in the future. He cannot wait to get playing again!” 

Pountney also said Percival was sitting up in his chair with neck brace on and that he was in good spirits.”