Scarlets star Rhys Patchell out for up to eight weeks

Chris Evans

Wales' Rhys Patchell during the 2019 Rugby World Cup match at the Kumamoto Stadium, Kumamoto. PA Photo. Picture date: Sunday October 13, 2019. See PA story RUGBYU Wales. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. Strictly no commercial use or association. Still image use only. Use implies acceptance of RWC 2019 T&Cs (in particular Section 5 of RWC 2019 T&Cs) at URL: bit.ly/2knOId6

Wales and Scarlets fly-half Rhys Patchell has been ruled out for at least six weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in training.

Patchell, who hasn’t played since Wales’ 2020 Six Nations defeat to Scotland in October due to concussion, had just returned to training before suffering a hamstring problem.

The pivot’s injury saw him withdraw from the Scarlets side that beat Connacht in their final PRO14 game of the season and boss Glenn Delaney was saddened by the news. 

“To get another six to eight week setback is devastating for all of us,” Delaney told reporters.

“He’s approaching it like the guy he is and is outwardly optimistic and cheerful but I know deep down he’s really disappointed he never got the chance to play because he was ready to play.

“He might be back for the back end of the Rainbow Cup but we’ll do the right thing. If we can get him on the track then that would be great.”

Scarlets healthy ahead of Sale clash

Aside from Patchell, Scarlets head into their Champions Cup round-of-16 clash with Sale Sharks with a clean bill of health and will have their international stars available once again following the completion of the Six Nations. 

The return of a number of Wales internationals has given Delaney food for thought in terms of team selection.

“The hardest thing we’re going to do this week is select a team because it’s a big challenge,” he said. “We’ve got some of those great headaches and I have had some of those 2am wake-ups. What are we going to do? How does that look?

“We’re getting into really fine detail about how the way we want to play looks and who we want to deliver that.”

Sale find themselves in third place in the Premiership and come into this game off the back of four wins in their last five, including a victory over Premiership and Champions Cup holders Exeter Chiefs. 

Delaney recognises the size of the task at hand, but is up for the challenge.

“Their coach has said they’re a team of northern grit and South African steel which pretty much sums it up,” he added. “They’ve got some world-class performers and also some big-game performers.

“They’re a very good team and very physical with their South African influence as you would expect but that creates lots of opportunities.

“For us it’s about playing our game, our way, and I’d like to think how they’re trying to consider how they can impose their game on us. It’s a game of chess with two incredibly contrasting styles so it’s going to be a great battle.”