Justin Tpiruc has been ruled out of Wales’ summer tour to New Zealand because of the concussion he suffered at the end of the Six Nations.
The Ospreys flanker has been told he still needs three more months on the sidelines – an absence which will also end any suggestions he could have made the Great Britain Sevens team at this year’s Olympics.
Tipuric fell awkwardly playing for Wales against Italy and has not played since, with the region having been reluctant to put a time scale on his return.
Now, Ospreys medic Chris Towers has confirmed it will be next season before the player makes another appearance.
Towers said: “Justin is recovering well following the concussion suffered playing for Wales against Italy three weeks ago, but in the light of his symptoms the specialist advice is that it is in his best interests to take his time returning.
“A prolonged three-month period of recovery rules him out of the rest of the season for the Ospreys and the Wales tour to New Zealand.
“The focus for Justin will be on getting healthy and fit, ready for pre-season.”
The Ospreys have suffered a further triple setback with three other players set to miss the rest of the Pro12 campaign.
JJ Engelbrecht (ankle), Ma’afu Fia (toe) and Paul James (eye) will also sit out the season after surgery.
Towers said of Engelbrecht: “Despite a period of rehab following the ankle injury he sustained against Connacht, it was felt that he wasn’t recovering as would be expected.
“The best long-term option for him was to have surgery to stabilise the ankle, ruling him out for the rest of the season.”
He added: “Unfortunately, Ma’afu developed a joint infection in the big toe which subsequently required hospital admission and surgery, taking him out of contention for the last three games of the season.
He is now focused on getting back up and running in time for a full pre-season.”
James has not been ruled out of Wales’s tour to New Zealand, but Towers said: “Following eye surgery, Paul is scheduled for a review with the specialist at the end of this week to get a fuller picture of the recovery process.
“However, we know that he is likely to be out of rugby for a period of six to 10 weeks.”
Meanwhile, Ashley Beck and Dafydd Howell — both long-term absentees with knee and hamstring injuries — are close to returning to action.
