Scarlets centre Steffan Hughes is set to make a return to action this evening, months ahead of schedule after a serious knee injury.
Hughes suffered a major knee injury in early January whilst representing Llanelli RFC in the Swalec Cup but has made a rapid recovery making his return at Parc y Scarlets against Newport this evening.
Speaking back in the summer about the injury, the 21-year-old centre from Five Roads, Llanelli, admitted that a few more years on the clock would have seen his career come to a premature end.
“I did the works! It was potentially a career-ending injury; had I been a bit older, or the surgery hadn’t been a success we’d have been looking at that but so far it’s been brilliant and that’s definitely not going to happen.
“I think I’ve dealt with it quite well. It’s obviously not a great thing to happen but it’s given me an opportunity to focus on improving other parts of my game. From day one I set myself little goals, that’s kept me going to be honest.
“That’s the nature of the game. I knew that when I came in to it. The most important thing is that I learn from this experience. Hopefully I can come back a stronger person.”
Scarlets Head Coach Wayne Pivac attributes Hughes’ early return to his dedication and professionalism during his recovery, he said: “He has done really well and has been very professional.
“I’m pleased for him. He’s such a dedicated young man. To have an injury like that at a young age is hard but he’s done extremely well and has worked very hard. He’s already bringing a lot of energy at training.”
Llanelli RFC team to take on Newport RFC to Parc y Scarlets on Thursday 26thNovember kick-off 7.30pm, in the Principality Premiership.
15 Dion Jones, 14 Nathan Edwards, 13 Steffan Hughes, 12 Matthew Pearce, 11 Matthew Owen, 10 Billy McBryde, 9 Justin James, 1 Rhys Thomas (capt), 2 Torin Myhill, 3 Rhodri Jones, 4 Rhydian Gierat, 5 Christian Long, 6 Jack Jones, 7 Shaun Edwards, 8 Trystan Lloyd
Replacements: 16 Rhys Fawcett, 17 Taylor Davies, 18 Ben Leung, 19 Greg George, 20 Liam Puckett, 21 Josh Guy, 22 Gareth Walters, 23 Paul Davies
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