Szarzewski ready for a return

Editor

France hooker Dimitri Szarzewski is desperate to make his comeback from injury after more than four months on the sidelines.

France hooker Dimitri Szarzewski is desperate to make his comeback from injury after more than four months on the sidelines.

The Racing-Métro skipper has not played since injuring a tendon in his ankle in March, missing last season's Top 14 play-offs as well as the June tour to Australia.

He was not ready for the start of the Top 14 season, having to watch from the stands as Racing surprised Montpellier at home to get their season underway with a win.

And have ended last season on a good run of form, Szarzewski admits he is looking forward to returning to a confident squad, with this weekend earmarked for a potential return.

“It's been just over four months since I had my operation and I think I'm just about on track,” he told Rugbyrama.

“Everything went well during my rehab. I wanted to stay in touch with the team during the play-offs and I also wanted to be there for the first game of the season.

“I was back on the pitch last week, and was able to take part in full training with the squad on Monday, which was very pleasing.

“I was disappointed to miss the play-offs last season, but I was lucky that I got injured very close to the end of the season and two months without competition. It's easier when there isn't a game.

“With the exception of the end of last season, I've only missed two friendlies and the opening game against Montpellier. It's good not to have missed too many games and to be back fit again.

“It's true we're on a good run, and I hope it will continue. The end of last season was pretty positive, which helped us build some confidence and took some pressure off.

“We managed to continue that run with the win in Montpellier which did us a lot of good. I hope we don't get carried away though, it was just one game, there are a lot more to come.

“For my first game back I think I've got about 30-40 minutes in my legs. Of course we'll have to wait and see how I feel after the first moments on the pitch.
It depends on what the coaches want to do though.”