Wales’ Scarlets flanker Plumtree likely to be absent for the beginning of Six Nations 2024

The Setback for Wales: Plumtree’s Injury Strikes Again

In a blow to Wales’ Six Nations preparations, back row player Taine Plumtree is expected to be sidelined during the early stages of the tournament. The news was revealed by Scarlets coach Dwayne Peel who explained that Plumtree is likely to require surgery due to an ongoing shoulder issue.

The injury occurred during Scarlets’ United Rugby Championship (URC) defeat against Lions in recent weeks. Although no specific timeline has been provided, it is anticipated that Plumtree will face months on the sidelines before he can return to action.

“He won’t be fit for quite some time and it’s highly probable that he will need shoulder surgery,” stated Peel regarding the unfortunate situation.

A Recurring Problem:

This isn’t the first time Plumtree has faced shoulder troubles. He initially sustained an injury during a World Cup warm-up game against England in August, which ultimately ruled him out of participating in the tournament itself. Despite this setback, he managed to earn two international caps when he returned as part of Wales’ squad for their uncapped fixture against Barbarians last November.

Gatland’s Concerns:

With Head Coach Warren Gatland now searching for alternative options within his back-row lineup, there are further concerns over other players as well. Christ Tshiunza from Exeter and Wales will also be unavailable until next year due to a broken foot he suffered during the World Cup in France.

Furthermore, number eight Taulupe Faletau is not expected to return until early January after sustaining a broken arm during Wales’ victory over Georgia in October’s World Cup clash. However, Ospreys’ uncapped number eight Morgan Morris has been showcasing impressive form throughout the season and could be an exciting addition to Gatland’s plans.

A Promising Talent:

Taine Plumtree’s arrival from New Zealand saw him make an immediate impact for Scarlets, scoring four tries in just five matches. Born in Swansea while his father John was coaching the All Whites, Plumtree made his return to Wales last June and swiftly integrated himself into Warren Gatland’s training squad.

“He has brought a lot of value to our team,” praised Peel. “Taine is a talented athlete with certain aspects of his game that still need refinement. But he possesses great work ethic and fits well within our group dynamic as well as being an asset to Welsh rugby.”

The Road Ahead:

Wales will commence their Six Nations campaign on February 3rd against Scotland at Cardiff Arms Park. Prior to that, Scarlets have seven games lined up including three URC fixtures and four more matches scheduled in Europe’s Challenge Cup competition.

This setback for Taine Plumtree undoubtedly poses challenges for both club and country but also creates opportunities for others within Wales’ back-row talent pool. As fans eagerly await the start of the tournament, it remains uncertain how long Plumtree will be sidelined or when he may fully recover from his shoulder injury.