Young hopes Wales pair will be fit for derby games
CARDIFF coach Dai Young is hopeful Wales duo Josh Navidi and Willis Halaholo will both be available for the upcoming Welsh derbies after picking up minor knocks in the win over Glasgow.
Both returned to the Blue and Blacks’ starting XV a week on from the end of Wales’ Six Nations defeat to Italy, with the pair playing their part in another stunning home victory over one of the league’s best.
However, both Navidi and Halaholo departed the match before the end of the thrilling 32-28 victory.
But with a double-header against the Scarlets followed by a clash with the Ospreys to come in the next few weeks, Young is hopeful they’ll be fit and ready as Cardiff look to launch themselves up the United Rugby Championship table.
“I’m hoping so,” he said. “Josh had his groin tighten up and Willis felt his hamstring a little bit.
“Fingers crossed, I don’t think they’re pulls or tears. We don’t know, but they’re pretty comfortable in the changing room. Hopefully a couple of days and they’ll be right.”
Both Navidi and Halaholo bounced back from the shock defeat to Italy and were among five Welsh squad members to feature at the Arms Park.
However, Young doesn’t believe that a poor campaign had left them with something to prove against high-flying Glasgow.
“It’s always nicer when players come back from a successful camp with a spring in their step,” he said. “Obviously it didn’t go to plan last week, but players want to get out on the park.
“It wasn’t mentioned. It didn’t work for them in that game but these things happen.”