Last week Dan Leavy was officially ruled out the Rugby World Cup after sustaining a horror injury against Ulster in the Champions Cup Quarter Final.
Ulster Rugby, today released their weekly ‘squad update’ this morning that contained more worrying news regarding one of Joe Schmidt’s hopefuls ahead of the World Cup in Japan later this year.
The update reads:
“Stuart McCloskey sustained a concussion in the game versus Glasgow Warriors and will follow the return to play protocols.
Will Addison has had recent back surgery. It is hoped that he will return to full fitness for pre-season.”
While Stuart McCloskey has been one of Ulster’s stand out players this season he remains on the outskirts of the squad in a highly competitive position. Will Addison, however, was capped in the Autumn Series by Schmidt and many close to the camp believe that Addison is a big favourite of Schmidt and very likely to make the squad to Japan (if fit).
Addison, who made the move to Ulster at the start of the season from Sale Sharks has been in fine form for Ulster when not struggling with back issues. He got his chance in the Autumn Series and proved more than capable of cutting it at Test Level.
It has been confirmed now by Ulster Rugby that the star has had surgery to hopefully resolve the problem and they are hoping he will return to fitness for pre-season.
Typically, pre-season kicks off in late June. Will this be enough time for Will Addison to stake his claim for a spot on the plane to Japan. Time will tell.
