Ospreys run for cover in prop crisis
THE Ospreys are looking to bring in emergency cover amid a frontrow crisis that has seen FIVE props sidelined by injury.
Wales forward Nicky Smith became the latest to join the casualty list when he suffered a head injury in Saturday’s 46-14 win over the Cheetahs.
Fellow loose-heads Paul James and Gareth Thomas are long-term absentees, while tight-heads Ma’afu Fia and Gheorge Gajion are also off limits.
The only fit props at the region are Tom Botha, Alex Jeffries and Rhodri Jones.
The problem at No. 1 is borderline acute heading towards the Guinness PRO14 encounter with Munster on Friday evening.
Smith, replaced on 19 minutes by Jones against the Cheetahs, is working his way through returnto-play protocols, but with a tight turnaround for the match in Cork it will be touch and go whether he is available.
Even if he does make the cut, it is questionable whether the Ospreys currently have enough slack in their pool of loose-heads, with props needing time to regenerate. One more bump would leave them in seriously choppy waters.
It is also unclear when James will return from the shoulder injury that has kept him out since the game with the Dragons last New Year’s Eve. The 66-cap Wales international underwent a reconstruction and had hoped to be fit for October, but he may have to play a waiting game.
Thomas is incapacitated by a shoulder problem, too.
The situation is marginally better on the other side of the scrum.
While Gajion will not be seen on a pitch until either February or March as he recovers from a major hamstring injury, Ma’afu Fia is not far from getting over the Achilles problem that has delayed his start to the season.
Botha is still acquiring match fitness after his move from the Cheetahs in the summer.
It all leaves the Ospreys sailing in potentially choppy waters as they look to extend their promising start to the new season.
Head coach Allen Clarke revealed last week they could also consider a move from a No. 10 after the broken leg suffered by Luke Price.