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International stars Jeff Hassler and Tyler Ardron have been ruled out of Canada’s three-match November test series. Hassler was stretchered off the field during the Cardiff Blues match on the weekend with an Achilles injury. While he will not require surgery, he is expected to be sidelined for six to nine months. Ardron’s prognosis is more positive. The in-form no8 suffered a dislocated thumb against Ulster a week ago and has since undergone surgery to repair the damage. His return date is in six to eight weeks.
It is dreadful news for the players, the Ospreys, and new Canadian head coach Mark Anscombe, who will now be short two of his most prominent overseas professionals for the matches against Ireland, Romania, and Samoa. With Jamie Cudmore still on the mend from a broken hand, Hubert Buydens out with a knee injury, and London Irish duo Ciaran Hearn and Jebb Sinclair only just returning to action, Anscombe will need some younger players to step up to the mark ahead of schedule.
For both Hassler and Ardron the dreaded injury bug continues. Each have spent considerable time on the sidelines over the past two years with Hassler undergoing knee and shoulder surgery, and Ardron missing most of last season with recurring knee problems. Both had looked in top form at the start of the new season, only adding to the pair’s frustration.
