COLLINS OUT FOR ALL BLACKS TEST
THE Ospreys say Michael Collins will be unavailable for the start of Wales’s autumn series campaign, dealing a further blow to Wayne Pivac ahead of the date with New Zealand at the Principality Stadium on October 30.
Pivac is already missing a glut of players through injuries, with seven others out of reach for the All Blacks game as they are based in England and there’s no player-release arrangement in place with Gallagher Premiership clubs.
Collins had been touted for a squad place after a bright competitive debut for the Ospreys.
But he hobbled off near the end of their 18-14 victory over Cardiff last Saturday and his region have reported that he could be out for up to six weeks.
Fellow international Bradley Davies also picked up a bump against Cardiff.
“They won’t be available this weekend,” said head coach Toby Booth before the United Rugby Championship game with the Sharks in Swansea tomorrow evening.
“Brad’s pretty short term and will be fine for next week, Mikey not so much. He has a calf strain that looks more significant. That’ll be a number of weeks, I think.”
Asked if he felt the centre would be good to go from the outset of Wales’s forthcoming programme of matches, Booth replied: “No, I don’t.”
There is even doubt about whether he’ll be available at all to Pivac this autumn, should he wish to select the utility back.
“I can’t say,” said the Ospreys team boss. “It’ll definitely be four-plus weeks, probably four to six.
“It can be more than that, depending on the nature of it. Grade two strains are around that.
“But our medics and the collaboration between the WRU and ourselves will keep everyone abreast of what’s happening if he’s required. “We don’t know if he’s required. “Unfortunately for him, timings of injuries are always difficult.
“Our only concern is to get Mikey back on the training pitch and on the pitch as quickly as possible.”
Collins had begun life with the Ospreys impressively, showing up well in their pre-season friendly against Northampton Saints and scoring two tries in a starring role against the Dragons.
But he fell to the ground with noone near him on 71 minutes against Cardiff, prompting immediate concern.
“He’s very influential in the environment and a very good player,” said Booth. “I have no doubt if he misses out this time, he’ll be putting his hand up for future campaigns.
“He’s out of the surgical boot he’s been wearing already.
“Every injury depends on how players respond to the treatment. Everyone responds slightly differently.
“We just need to get him right so he’s able to continue on what was a very, very bright start for the Ospreys. “That’s the exciting thing. “The sooner we get him back, the better.”
It wasn’t all bleak news for Pivac at the Ospreys’ midweek press call, though, with Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones set to make his first appearance of the season after his post-lions break.
The lock will play a part against the Sharks. “He’s good to go, yeah,” said Booth. “Al will be involved. “We were saying last week about our strength in depth in the back row and back three.
“You want that. What it means is that you don’t put the same load through the same resources all the time.
“That allows you to maintain energy. If anyone is going to epitomise bringing energy it’s Al.”