Wales scrum half Mike Phillips has been ruled out of the autumn Invesco Perpetual series after suffering ligament damage during Sunday’s Ospreys victory over Clermont Auvergne.
The inspirational and confrontational No9 faces up to 12 weeks on the sidelines after tests confirmed his, and national coach Warren Gatland’s, worst fears.
The Ospreys have received confirmation that Phillips and fellow scrum half Jamie Nutbrown are both facing a spell on the sidelines after suffering ligament damage during the same match.
The pair both underwent a scan on yesterday evening, and having discussed the results with a specialist and the players this morning, Ospreys Physio, Chris Towers, said: “Mike had a scan yesterday, which was then reviewed with the specialist, who confirmed ligament damage to the distal tib/fib joint.
“Mike will now be subjected to further specialist tests and investigations towards the end of the week once the pain and swelling has subsided sufficiently to allow it.
“This will put us in a better position to confirm the best course of treatment going forward, but it is fair to say that Mike has suffered considerable ligament damage, and the best-case scenario would probably see him sidelined in the region of 10/12 weeks.
“Jamie also left the field on Sunday after suffering a knee injury. His MRI scan has confirmed an injury to the posterior cruciate ligament, coupled with damage to the medial collateral ligament. Subsequently, he faces a period on the sidelines, that at the moment, we are predicting could keep him out for somewhere in the region of 10 weeks also.”
