Deacon: Josh return huge boost for Sale
BEAUMONT’S FAIRYTALE AFTER 14 MONTHS OUT
PAUL Deacon has hailed Josh Beaumont’s ‘fairytale’ recovery for Sale Sharks.
The former club captain has spent 14 months out battling back from a ruptured tendon he suffered against Wasps in November 2019.
Two surgeries and a comeback delayed by an infection saw the 6ft 7in forward sidelined.
But the 27-year-old made a stunning return to action on Saturday, coming on as a substitute and scoring a last-minute winner at Gloucester to end a three-match losing run for the Sharks.
Recovery was made even more difficult for Beaumont by the first lockdown, with physios unable to visit him at home to help with treatment.
But he is back now, and interim head coach Deacon is delighted.
“It has been a long, tough road for him the last 14 months,” he said.
“It was bad injury he had, it was a complete accident, jumping at a line-out, something he does almost every single day.
“Then he had complications with an infection and needed extra surgery.
“He has been on a long journey and I was made up for him as were all the lads.
“He has worked really hard to get back onto the field, so to score a winning try like that was a fairytale for him.”
Even though Beaumont hasn’t been on the field, he has been in around the squad and as a senior player has played his part in preparing the pack for games.
“It is always hard for players when they are not playing to speak up as honestly as they would do if they were playing because they aren’t out there with the lads doing the hard graft every week,” said Deacon.
“But he has had an input into our squad, he is a good bloke to sound out and get his opinions.”
Despite the seriousness of the injury, there was never any concerns about Beaumont not returning to the game. Said Deacon: “There was no thought about him not coming back, it was always really positive with Josh.
“His recovery was a long one, but the medical team here at Sale do a great job with the lads, we are well looked after.
“We work the lads hard, they rehab hard, Josh has done that and fortunately for us he is now back in action.
“Every time a player is injured they feel down, our physios are well prepared for that.
“They probably have the closest relationships with the players because when they are injured they spend almost all day with them.”
Sale have struggled in the line-out in recent times, and Deacon says the return of Beaumont will help.
He said: “There is no doubt Josh is a really smart operator in the lineout. To have him back will definitely improve that area.
“He has been involved in it while he has been injured, along with Lood de Jager. We have a group of lads here who all want to improve and welcome their input.
“To have Josh back gives us another option there, which is good.”