Popular Welsh referee Nigel Owens will have an MRI scan on Monday on an injury scare ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
The 48-year-old limped off with a calf problem after 63 minutes when one of the Cardiff players accidentally clattered into him during the Indigo Premiership opener.
He will fly out to the Rugby World Cup on Tuesday and, if fit, will take charge of the tournament’s opening match between hosts Japan and Russia on Friday week.
Nigel Owens forced to leave pitch injured days before he's due to fly out to Rugby World Cup https://t.co/e4NDc6UMkE
— WalesOnline Rugby (@WalesRugby) September 7, 2019
He fully expects to be on the plane but is undergoing the scan as a precaution.
“I will have a scan on Monday,” said Owens.
“It’s just as a precautionary measure. Hopefully, it’s just a bang, nothing too bad, there’s no tear or anything like that.
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“There wasn’t much bruising to begin with, it’s on the inner muscle, not outer, although the bruising has since begun to come out, which is usually a good sign.
“It was really painful. Fortunately I drive an automatic car and have cruise control, so getting home was no problem.”