Halfpenny still out as Scarlets face injury crisis for Euro return
LEIGH Halfpenny’s frustrating wait for a return to action continues after he was ruled out of the Scarlets’ Heineken Champions Cup clash against Ulster in Belfast on Friday night.
The Wales full-back hasn’t played since taking a head knock against Australia in the second game of the autumn Test series.
Halfpenny was hit late by Wallaby centre Samu Kerevi, an incident which went unpunished and infuriated the Welsh management.
Nearly five weeks later, he is still not ready to make his comeback.
“Leigh is still progressing through the different stages of his recovery from his head knock - he won’t be available this weekend,” confirmed Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac.
“We are working through stages which will hopefully have him available for next weekend (against the Ospreys).”
Halfpenny is one of a number of Scarlets who have had extended periods on the sidelines because of concussion this season.
Rhys Patchell was out for six weeks after taking a blow to the head attempting a tackle against the Ospreys in October – his second HIA of the season – lock Steve Cummins also had a period out following a clash against Connacht, Blade Thomson was stretchered off against Edinburgh at the start of last month and hasn’t played since, while Ed Kennedy, Lewis Rawlins and Jake Ball are all currently going through head injury protocols.
“It is becoming an ever-growing discussion point in rugby these days,” admitted Pivac.
“It seems there are a lot of players ruled out and the length of time they are ruled out is increasing as well. “It is a concern.
“You can look at it two ways, I guess. We probably didn’t treat rugby players the right way for many, many years, versus are we over-protective at times.
“I am no expert, we have just got to look after our players and I think we do a pretty good job of that.”
After three defeats from their opening three pool matches, the Scarlets’ European ambitions are already over - a bitter disappointment for last season’s semi-finalists.
As well as Halfpenny, they will be missing Wales internationals Rob Evans and James Davies, centre Kieron Fonotia and young flanker Dan Davis for the clash at the Kingspan.
Evans picked up an ankle injury in last weekend’s 25-24 loss in Llanelli, while Davies, having only just returned from a knee problem, damaged a toe.
“Rob has had a niggly shoulder, it hasn’t stopped him from playing, but this is an opportunity to give it a little break and get some treatment. But he wouldn’t have been able to play anyway. He is carrying a fresh ankle injury,” said Pivac.
“Cubby (James Davies) came back and put in a pretty solid effort after 12 weeks out and his knee was fine, but he has injured a toe so he is ruled out as well, which is unfortunate.”
With competition regulations limiting the amount of players you can use and with Pivac having already drafted in his maximum number of replacements from outside the original squad, the Scarlets are down to two fit and available back-rowers – Springbo Uzair Cassiem and openside Will Boyde.