Leigh Halfpenny is expected to miss at least the first two Six Nations matches after being told by a specialist he is at least three weeks away from a return from concussion.
The Wales and Scarlets full-back was concussed against Australia in November – the fourth time in six years. He has not played since and is continuing to show symptoms such as headaches.
Taking rugby into Star Trek territory needs core base to back the mission | Robert Kitson
“Leigh has seen the specialist and he will not be used for the next three to five weeks,” said Wayne Pivac, the Scarlets’ coach. “He will continue doing what he has been doing, such as running, and will then be reassessed.
“It will be somewhere between three to five weeks but these things take time. That’s the time frame we’re looking at. Leigh won’t play before that. It will be Warren Gatland’s call then because the tournament runs for longer [than the time Halfpenny has been ruled out for].”
Halfpenny was injured when the Australia centre Samu Kerevi clattered into him having failed to charge down the full-back’s clearance. Wales were angry when no action was taken against the Wallaby, a feeling that has not softened with the player set to miss three months of the season at least.
Pivac is confident the 30-year old will resume his career. “He has been having bouts of headaches. He is frustrated but his health and wellbeing come first. A number of players have come back from concussion before and there is no reason why it will not happen with Leigh.”
Pivac was speaking on the day when the 27-year-old Ospreys centre Ben John retired, having taken a 12-month break following a succession of head injuries.
“It has taken so long for me to recover the only decision for me was to retire,” said John, who has started a new career as a personal trainer in London. “Rugby has been my life but my long-term health is more important.”
Gatland names his squad for the Six Nations on Tuesday. Already without the flankers Ellis Jenkins and Aaron Shingler, he has other concerns in the back row, with James Davies, Taulupe Faletau, Ross Moriarty and Dan Lydiate all injured.
Rhys Priestland will leave Bath at the end of the season after a four-year stint at the Recreation Ground. The 31-year-old fly-half, who joined from the Scarlets, has 50 caps and last played for Wales in 2017.
“Rhys has been an influential figure not only on the field but in his leadership off the field,” the Bath rugby director, Todd Blackadder, said. “There is still a lot of rugby to play between now and the end of the season, and I have no doubt he will play a key role in the next six months.”