Welsh wizard Shane Williams will be out of rugby for at least 10 weeks after he suffered a shoulder injury just before halftime in Wales 29-25 loss to South Africa on the weekend. He may also be a doubtful starter for the Six Nations.
Williams, his countrys all time leading try scorer and the third highest try scorer in Test history with 53, was flung and dumped by Springbok center Francois Steyn, causing a dislocation of the left shoulder as he landed awkwardly.
“Truth is, I just dont know yet what Ive done to the shoulder. Ive had an operation on both of them in the past to clean them out, but because I have never dislocated my shoulder before Im not sure how bad it is,” Williams said.
“I went down, heard it pop and then when I rolled over on it, I heard another pop, so Im assuming it has popped out and popped back in. But Im not a doctor. Its as sore as hell at the moment, almost unbearably so. Its like toothache and Ive had to take quite a few painkillers,” he added.
Wales physiotherapist Mark Davies said later that a scan revealed what was suspected the shoulder dislocated then immediately moved back into place. Williams will undergo exploratory surgery to assess the damage.
“We know he will be out of action now for a minimum of 10 weeks,” Davies said.
He will miss Wales remaining November internationals, including meetings with Fiji and New Zealand. Theres also a real chance that the 33 year old will be out for the start of the Six Nations too.
Wales now have just George North, the eighteen year old, to rely on as they search for another wing to join him for the next few games. Leigh Halfpenny is injured, so the talk is that Chris Czekaj, Will Harries, or Aled Brew may take the left wing berth.
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