On the casualty list... just how close are Wales’ missing men to making return?
THEY are the leading Wales players who had sick notes during the Six Nations – who didn’t see a single minute of action as they were all off limits to Wayne Pivac.
Some of their injuries were more serious than others. Indeed, one player, Ellis Jenkins, hasn’t been seen on a rugby field since sustaining what his region Cardiff Blues described as a “significant” knee injury playing for Wales against South Africa in November 2018.
Gareth Anscombe is another longterm casualty.
Pivac will hope such individuals and others with orthopaedic issues are available to him for next season.
We checked on how things are progressing...
JONATHAN DAVIES
THERE doesn’t appear to be a calendar on a wall anywhere with a date circled in red ink to indicate Davies’ planned comeback.
He underwent an operation after returning home from the World Cup with a serious injury to his left knee.
Wales and the Scarlets would welcome his return amid speculation that Hadleigh Parkes is moving to Japan to play his rugby.
When details of Davies’ injury were announced, it was suggested he would be out of action for at least six months.
But as time went by it became increasingly obvious the “at least” bit of the equation would become increasingly relevant, with there having been no plans for him to resume before the end of the original 2019-20 season.
The rugby shutdown amid the coronavirus pandemic has further complicated the picture.
How much has he been missed by Wales? A lot, and that’s despite the emergence of Nick Tompkins. Davies is 16st of rock-solid reassurance.
He has vast experience, makes expert decisions and organises the defence intelligently.
The assumption is the Lions man of the series against New Zealand in 2017 is rehabbing, but a precise date for his return is not yet available.
JAMES DAVIES
A hip injury has sidelined Davies junior since the World Cup bronzemedal match against New Zealand.
He had appeared to be close to a comeback a few months ago, only to hit a problem trying to withstand the intensity of training.
An operation followed in March and since then the openside has been quietly rehabbing.
It is hoped he’ll be ready to resume for the new season.
TOMAS FRANCIS
HERE’S another one who has been out since the Rugby World Cup.
The Exeter Chiefs prop underwent surgery last November on the shoulder injury he damaged in the RWC semi-final defeat against South Africa.
It’s a long-haul recovery, but he is getting there, saying recently: “Lockdown has come as a positive for me in terms of my injury.
“I’m still doing my rehab, which at Exeter is tougher than playing, but I’m doing it at my own pace.
“The good thing is I’m getting closer and closer all the time, but I’m not missing any rugby.”
Wales have missed Francis as much as any other player.
In his absence, their scrum has failed to convince and they gave away eight penalties in that area during the Six Nations.
But Wayne Pivac will hope the 20st tighthead will be available to him for the start of the next batch of Tests.
Francis has turned his garage into a temporary gym and is working hard to get himself back in shape for when rugby resumes.
RHYS PATCHELL
IT’S good news on Patchell.
If rugby were being played now, he would be on the pitch for the Scarlets.
He had been lined up for a return in early spring after recovering from the shoulder problem he sustained facing New Zealand at the Rugby World Cup.
Patchell had resumed full training before the shutters fell on the game.
When the sport restarts, he’ll be available to the Scarlets.
SCOTT WILLIAMS
THE Ospreys centre has had problems with his back for more than a year and he underwent an operation nine weeks ago in an attempt to put matters right.
His region say he’s doing well, with the former Wales captain on track for a return in the autumn if there’s action then.
The pain Williams was suffering has eased and is said to have made big improvements.
That’s good news for all concerned. At 29, the former Scarlet still has a lot to offer and when he is fit and firing he’s a handful.
GARETH ANSCOMBE
IT’S nine months since he came a cropper against England in a World Cup warm-up at Twickenham and, like Jonathan Davies, patience has had to be the watchword.
He had been making good progress before the lockdown caused by the pandemic, with the Ospreys hoping he’d be ready for the official start of 2020-21.
But the injury he suffered was a serious one and the region need to assess how he’s progressed under the new conditions we’re all living under. It’s
said to be a positive picture, though.
“Everything is on course as it should be,” said a source at the region.
ELLIS JENKINS
EIGHTEEN months has passed since the Cardiff Blues flanker damaged cruciate ligaments playing for Wales against South Africa. For the avoidance of doubt, that’s a seriously long time in rugby terms.
Jenkins’ man-of-the-match performance in that encounter with the Springboks underlined what his region and country are missing.
He tore into rucks, supported well and seemed everyone at once. It was a display that suggested great things could be in prospect.
The injury has put all that on hold. But, slowly, he seems to be heading in the right direction.
It’s not a precise science and there could yet be the odd hitch or two, but Cardiff Blues are quietly hopeful he will be in position to attempt a comeback when rugby resumes or thereabouts.