Surgery could rule out Sowden-Taylor for tour

Mar 26 2008 by Simon Thomas, Western Mail

ROBIN SOWDEN-TAYLOR’S hopes of going on Wales’ summer tour of South Africa may have been dashed by an incident that has seen Scarlets prop Deacon Manu cited for foul play.

Blues flanker Sowden-Taylor suffered a shoulder injury in taking a huge hit from New Zealander Manu during last Friday’s 35-17 Magners League defeat in Llanelli.

The 25-year-old openside had to leave the field at Stradey Park following the juddering tackle – which has been cited as dangerous – and now faces an uncertain future.

With an initial x-ray having revealed damage to his AC joint, he will undergo a scan tomorrow to assess the full extent of the problem and to determine whether he needs surgery.

If he has to go under the knife, then that is likely to mean his season is over and it could also rule him out of the two-Test Welsh tour of South Africa in June.

That would be a further body blow for the Cardiff product who hasn’t enjoyed the best of fortune over the past couple of years.

He missed most of last season after suffering an horrific ankle injury against the Ospreys at the Arms Park in September 2006.

Then, after starting for Wales against world champions South Africa last November, he found himself slipping back down the pecking order when his Blues colleague Martyn Williams decided to come out of international retirement.

Williams went on to take a starring role in the Grand Slam, while his long-time understudy was limited to a non-playing role within the Welsh squad.

Now Sowden-Taylor – who has won just five caps despite having first represented Wales way back in 2001 on the tour of Japan – faces the prospect of another potentially lengthy spell on the sidelines.

As for Manu, he will learn his fate this evening.

The 29-year-old tight-head will appear before a WRU disciplinary committee in Cardiff, having been cited for an alleged “dangerous charge of an opponent without the ball, including shouldering”.

With Sowden-Taylor crocked, Martyn Williams – who says he is keen to tour South Africa – may well return to regional action for the Blues’ Magners League trip to Edinburgh on Friday night.

But prop Gary Powell is doubtful for the journey north after straining a tendon in his right foot against the Scarlets.

The Scots are missing a number of players through sevens commitments and injuries, so coach Andy Robinson has included two academy forwards, Sean Crombie and Fraser McKenzie, in a 27-man squad.

“Both of these boys deserve to be in contention after training well with us through-out the season,” said the former England boss.

“We are always looking to promote young Scottish talent and both Sean and Fraser are good prospects.

“With three of our first-team squad players away in Hong Kong and a further four ruled out through injury, we have had to look at our options.

“This situation creates an opportunity for someone else to come in and seize their chance.

“One of the key factors behind our positive results so far this season has been the level of competition for places in the side.”

Looking ahead to the visit from the Blues, Robinson added, “Welsh rugby is enjoying a real high at the moment after the Grand Slam success of a couple of weeks ago and this will impact on all the country's professional teams.

“But we need to make sure we pay attention to detail on the night and maintain our collective concentration levels if we are to maintain our winning run.”

Meanwhile, one of Robinson’s former England charges – Lawrence Dallaglio – has been cited following Wasps’ EDF Energy Cup semi-final defeat to Leicester.

The veteran No 8 has been cited for striking an opponent during the Millennium Stadium clash, which his side lost 34-24.

He is to appear at a RFU disciplinary hearing next Tuesday following a report by the independent citing officer, with the case to be heard by a panel chaired by Judge Jeff Blackett.