Croft will miss the 6 nations

Cockerills pretty adamant anyway.

His return from major surgery will start tonight but is going to be phased, playing 2 weeks on two weeks off, and then reassessed in March following medical advice.
That of course also seriously hampers his chances of going on the Lions tour, even if hes fighting fit by then he wont have played international rugby for over a year.

But should be fully up and ready for the business end of the club season.

Im sure Cockers is heartbroken about that.

http://www.espnscrum.com/premiership-2012-13/rugby/story/175250.html

"The metal work in Tom's neck is good, the healing has been fine, but we've got to look at him playing one or two matches then having a couple of weeks off until we get to March and see where we are.

"There's no negotiation on that front. Stuart [Lancaster] and I know that and appreciate that. That's the medical advice and that's it. The player's welfare is the only consideration.

he also clears up what weve hard about Croft becoming a Haskell like battleship during his layoff

Tom has come back as dynamic as ever but more robust," Cockerill said. "He's so naturally athletic that he's always been a bit reluctant to bulk up. But part of the modern game is dealing with big blokes coming at you. At this stage of Tom's career, that extra muscle will help his game as well as protect his neck. He looks a lot bigger and that's a good sign."

All round sounds like the long term view is being taken here, which is also good for Tigers. England can also do without him for now, with Wood filling his shoes well, Robshaw fully established as the captain, and Haskell and excellent bench option to cover the whole backrow.
Obviously as a lineout stealer and winger he is pretty irreplaceable, but he may have to show an improvement in other aspects of his game to win an england matchday place back.

For several years he has been the stand out English player, style considerations of what makes a no.6 or no.

Its only in the last season or 2 that more talent is showing up. Hopefully if they get the rehab right he will be around for a long time to come, and as has been said we have a couple of useful alternatives.

Shame, as an England fan would have liked to have seen him in the mix for the 6N but the only correct decision is to follow the medical advise (although I'm guessing he's chomping at the bit and would love to be involved in the 6N himself).

Understand the muscle bulking up around the neck area but concerned when players try to carry too much muscle and become injury prone. Hopefully that is being well managed too.

Strange how, not so long ago, Croft and Lawes looked undroppable from the England set-up and were near the top of our list of Lions tourists. Injuries are always cruel but both will need to show some decent form to get back in the frame. Tom Wood has shown it's possible.

I would bet that history will repeat itself. He won't be an initial selection for the Lions, but will go as a replacement and end up in the test team - just like last time

Sometimes long layoffs allow players to add that something extra to thier game like the stone of muscle dayglo put on during his leg problems. When he's fit and on form he is one of the best in the buisness and i look forward to having him battling it out with wood for the 6 spot over the next 3 years.

Best player for Tigers against Wuss so far tonight though he isn't having much competition.

Brilliant cover tackle on flying winger, stole a lineout and forced a turnover at a maul.