Warburton ruled out for four months after neck op
LIONS captain Sam Warburton faces a lengthy injury lay-off which will keep him out of Wales’ autumn internationals.
The Cardiff Blues flanker is to undergo surgery following a reoccurrence of a long-standing neck problem and will be sidelined for up to four months.
He exacerbated the injury in training this week, having returned from his post-Lions break, and, after his scans were reviewed by a consultant, it was decided an operation was required.
It’s a body blow for the former Wales skipper who has suffered such misfortune with injuries over the years.
And it’s also very unwelcome news for Warren Gatland and for the Blues.
It leaves Gatland’s Wales facing something of a back-row injury crisis for the autumn internationals.
Ross Moriarty is struggling to be fit for the four-Test campaign due to the back injury which cut short his Lions tour, while opensides Ellis Jenkins (detached hamstring) and James Davies (shoulder surgery) are definitely out of the reckoning.
That leaves a big question mark over who will join Taulupe Faletau and Justin Tipuric in the breakaway unit for the opening autumn international against Australia on November 11.
Aaron Shingler occupied the blindside berth during both Tests on Wales’ summer tour of the south seas and has been in outstanding form for the Scarlets over the past year.
The vastly-experienced Dan Lydiate is due back this weekend after nine months out with the serious knee ligament damage he sustained against South Africa last November.
Thomas Young is also in line for a return to action with Wasps having missed the start of the season with a calf tear, while Olly Cracknell, Josh Navidi, Ollie Griffiths and James King are other back row contenders.
For the 28-year-old Warburton, who did such a fine job as Lions captain in New Zealand, it’s yet another setback on the fitness front.
During his career, he’s suffered close on 20 injuries and this will be his sixth operation.
Coach Danny Wilson said: “It’s a major blow for all concerned, Sam, the Blues and Wales.
“We all hoped he would be back playing soon. It is a long-standing issue that he has had. He gets pain and discomfort on and off. The feeling was that two months off would help it settle.
“He came back feeling confident about it. He went through the protocols when he came back to training and during the contact element it began to flare up again. We looked into it in more detail and it has led to where we are.
“He is obviously extremely frustrated.
“Sam thought that after two months he would come back really fresh, but this is the right thing for him to do.”
With Warburton and Jenkins both crocked, the versatile Josh Navidi is set to continue at No.7 against highflying Glasgow at the Arms Park on Saturday (7.35pm).
The Blues are looking for their first win of the season following defeats to Edinburgh and Leinster, with Wilson calling for a big performance in front of the home fans.
Where do Wales stand ahead of autumn Tests? Pages 42&43