22nd September 2000
Mapletoft heartache
Fly half Mark Mapletoft is resigned to missing the rest of the season following his knee injury at Bristol last week.
The former England A international only joined Quins from Saracens in the summer and was beginning to forge a decent partnership with Peter Richards.
But he was fearing the worst earlier this week as he prepared to hear how bad the damage to his knee is.
The 28-year-old has been dubbed a one cap wonder following his solitary England appearance against Argentina in Buenos Aires three years ago .
But that is a cruel jibe as the former Gloucester number ten was destined for more caps before a debilitating back injury saw him miss most of last season for Saracens.
Mapletoft has come back from serious knee trouble in the past, he came back from ligament damage to his other knee five years ago.
That particular injury saw him go 18 months without kicking a rugby ball in anger, it will take all of his mental strength to come back if this latest setback is as serious as it sounds.
He was due to find out if he has wrecked the knee's cruciate ligaments today - if he has he is almost certain to miss another season.
He said: "Just when I was back really enjoying my rugby again this happens. If my worst fears are realised I can probably write off the season."
He added: "There was no contact when the knee went at Bristol. I just went to sidestep someone and my knee buckled beneath me."