GLASGOW WARRIORS and Scotland stand-off Ross Thompson’s miserable, injury-blighted season is set to fizzle out in further disappointment after the 23-year-old suffered a stress fracture of his right foot in training during this week.
Thompson had previously managed only two appearances off the bench for Warriors this season, for a grand total of 38 minutes between a back and an ankle injury, before this most recent setback.
“He’s been working hard to get back, doing a lot of kicking, and that might have caused it,” said Warriors head coach Franco Smith. “It’s unfortunate – a stress fracture in his right foot, his planted foot when he’s kicking. I think it’s come about through training.
Watsonians add youth and experience for Super Series Sprint defence
Scottish Cup quarter-final preview – runners, riders and verdict
Stirling County and Scottish rugby loses a legend with death of Stewart Hamilton
“We took him to Munster last week and he was going to be in the 24 again this week. I feel for the guy, he’s had a very, very difficult season. He came into the season with an injury, then got injured in the first opportunity he got back, and now, as he came out of the rehab side of it, he’s got injured again.
“I suppose everything happens for a reason and he’s a positive guy and hopefully now this longer pre-season leading into the World Cup will help him recover properly.”
Asked if Thompson’s season is definitely over, Smyth answered: “It’s going to be tough. He’s going to be operated on next week so it will be tough to get him ready and get him involved in the final part of the competition. Unfortunately, it will be very difficult to get him back playing again this year.”
Meanwhile, Jack Mann remains on the injury list with a head injury, which is a concern given that the No 8 has been out since his one and only Warriors game against Bath back in mid-December and has a history of concussion.
The 23-year-old played in that Bath game after catching the eye of the Warriors coaching staff through his performances for Heriot’s in Super6 and impressing in training, but has never been announced as a signing by the club and his contractual status is unclear.
“Obviously player welfare is first priority with us here, so we want to give him a good chance to reset properly,” said Smith. “He’s got a bit of history with concussion so we’re just going to give him the best chance to recover. At this stage, there is no need to risk him in any playing environment so we can just as well make full use to reset that part of the body which is most important.”
Asked if Mann is now a full member of the squad, Smith replied: “Yes, he’s been training with us. Non-contact, though. But he’s staying in form and is part of the set-up as he would be if he could play.”
Watsonians add youth and experience for Super Series Sprint defence
Shame for Thompson. I would have been really interested to see how he got on with the way the backs are playing right now.
If he didn’t have bad luck he wouldn’t have any….that said though this sort of thing seems to happen a lot with our pros. Surely the return to playing protocols should be structured to preclude such an injury??
Gotta feel for the lad – to lose a season just as he had really built some momentum in the 10 jersey. Hopefully see him recover and back early next season, at least he has time on his side career wise.