Wire Star Ratchford: 'A Month Without Eating'.

Rugby General

Wire Star Ratchford: 'A Month Without Eating'.

Stefan Ratchford suffered a severe facial injury that left him unable to talk, eat, or brush his teeth for more than a month.

Warrington Wolves captain Stefan Ratchford suffered 11 fractures during a collision with St Helens' James Bell in a 24-10 win on July 19. 

Bell’s accidental elbow caused severe facial injuries, requiring surgery and dental work with bars and braces to fix Ratchford’s jaw.

The injury kept him out of Warrington's League Leaders' Shield campaign, though Ratchford still hopes to return later this season.

"The CT scan showed 10 fractures," the 36-year-old told BBC Radio Merseyside. "My eye socket, cheekbone, upper and lower jaw, and bones near my teeth and nose were all damaged."