National Team Physio Mark Davies says an assessment of Parker’s knee problem has resulted in him being cleared to travel to Ireland on Sunday and means he will be in contention for the June tour to the home of the World Champion Springboks. However, Davies has today (Saturday) added Blues flanker Martyn Williams and Scarlets scrum-half Dwayne Peel to a long term injury list which includes Ospreys duo Gavin Henson and Lee Byrne.
“Martyn sprained his knee last night (Friday) during the Blues match with Connacht and was scanned this morning,” said Davies. “The scan revealed torn ligaments and he is currently in a brace and awaiting further surgical opinion early next week, but the injury rules him out of the summer tour.
“Dwayne has a shoulder problem which is unstable and in need of repair, once he undergoes his operation he will be five months-plus in recovery. Gavin has had a successful operation on his ankle and he will begin his rehabilitation in approximately six weeks time.”
Meanwhile, the Ospreys medical team confirmed this morning (Saturday) that Byrne will undergo keyhole surgery on his knee over the course of the coming week. The decision to withdraw Byrne from the tour in order to undergo treatment was made on the basis of medical advice received and after full consultation between the Ospreys and the WRU’s medical teams. Byrne will be closely monitored post-operation and it is anticipated that after a period of rehab over the summer he will be able to play a full part in pre-season training and will resume playing as usual at the start of the 2008-2009 campaign.
Ospreys Physiotherapist Chris Towers added: “Lee has been suffering intermittent pain and swelling of his left knee due to a cartilage defect of his patella femoral joint. Although this hasn’t been limiting his ability to perform on the rugby field, it had started to impact on certain aspects of his training so in the best interests of Lee, the decision has been taken to use the summer break to deal with the problem by way of arthroscopic surgery to resolve the issue. By taking this action at this moment in time we are ensuring that disruption caused by the injury are kept to a minimum and we are allowing him extra recovery time post op, which will ensure that he is able to train and prepare properly for the 2008-2009 season and the challenge that lie ahead.”
