Fractured thumb rules out Byrne

Lee Byrne will miss the Heineken Cup double header against Munster after it was confirmed that he has suffered a fracture to his thumb.

 

Ospreys Physio Chris Towers said:

“We’re now in a position to confirm the severity of the injury Lee suffered in the recent test match against New Zealand, which kept him out of the Edinburgh fixture last weekend.

“Further investigations yesterday confirmed a fracture at the base of the thumb, and in light of this he is unlikely to be available for selection for an estimated period of five weeks from now.”

The Ospreys were unfortunately not in a position to confirm the severity of the injury at an earlier date, despite it being flagged up by the WRU, after Lee failed to attend a consultation with a specialist that had been arranged by the Union.

He then failed to report to a scheduled screening on his return to the Ospreys, meaning the medical team were not in a position to effectively confirm a diagnosis of his injury status until late last week, hence he was named in the initial matchday squad for the Edinburgh match until the severity of the issue became clear.