By Joe Mansfield.
SCARLETS back-rower Josh Macleod was set to make his international debut against Scotland on Saturday, but a ruptured achilleas tendon means he will miss out.
On Wednesday, Macleod stood before his teammates and was told he would make his Wales debut. That afternoon he ventured out onto the training paddock to continue his preparation and was struck by cruel injury. The ruptured achilleas tendon will deny him his first Welsh Cap and likely leave him side-lined for around six months.
The injury was sustained during a non-contact period of the session and his 17 stone frame had to be stretchered off. Wayne Pivac has described it as a “serious injury” and one that he is “very disappointed” with.
Fortune has not favoured the flanker from Fishguard, he was due to feature in the Autumn series, but that opportunity was also taken away by injury. That time, Macleod was injured playing in a game for his region the day before he was set to link up with Pivac’s squad.
At 24 years of age, Macleod has plenty of time to recover but it might become a long-term setback. In the short term though, the flanker will be missed by Wales. Throughout recent seasons Macleod has earnt a reputation as a turnover specialist.
That reputation was vindicated when he was crowned the Guinness Pro14’s 2020 Big Red Cloud Turnover King. The absence of the breakdown supremo means that Scotland have less jackal threats to deal with and the Welsh game plan is, to an extent, scuppered.
Ken Owens is a teammate of Macleod’s and he shared the frustration that Pivac displayed towards the injury.
“It’s a massive disappointment for Josh, he’s been working hard and he’s been at the top of his game.” Owens said (translated from Welsh).
“For the last two years he’s been great with us at the Scarlets. To miss out on the Autumn games through injury and then to be named in the team only to be injured in the following session is a massive shame for Josh.
“I’m just thinking about him and hopefully now he’ll go away, work through his rehab and come back stronger and better.” Owens added.
Aaron Wainwright comes into the starting line-up and will be hoping to capitalise on the opportunity with a solid performance against Scotland on Saturday. James Botham was brought into the Wales squad on Tuesday to replace Dan Lydiate and has immediately been placed on bench following the injuries to Macleod and Josh Navidi.
