Wales scrum-half Kieran Hardy will miss the remainder of the season and now faces a race against time to be fit for the 2027 Rugby World Cup after undergoing surgery on a serious knee injury.
The 30-year-old sustained the injury during the Ospreys' United Rugby Championship victory over Dragons RFC at Rodney Parade.
Ospreys head coach Mark Jones confirmed the extent of the damage, with Hardy now facing a lengthy rehabillitation period as he attempts to return in time for the World Cup in Australia next year.
"It is a serious knee injury which has needed surgery, which tells you its extent," said Jones.
"It was a major ligament of the knee and he has got some other bits and pieces that needed rectifying as well.
"We are definitely not going to see him this season, we just hope he has a good rehabilitation, there are no kinks in the road and everything goes to plan.
"We will be crossing everything that he is around for the start of the next season and his availability with the World Cup on the horizon."
Wales lose key player
Hardy has been a regular feature in Wales squads, normally as second choice to Saracens' Tomos Williams.
The Ospreys player isn't the only replacement for Williams avaliable for Wales head coach Steve Tandy to use in the meantime.
Team-mate Reuben Morgan-Williams and uncapped Dragons scrum-half Che Hope also named in Wales' squad for this November's Nations Championship fixtures against Japan, New Zealand, and Australia in Cardiff.
Hardy never played at World Cup
Hardy, despite making his debut for Wales in 2020, has never played a World Cup game.
He was called-up to Warren Gatland's World Cup squad in 2023 in France as injury cover, and now faces the nervous wait to see whether that wait will go on beyond the next tournament in 2027.
"That will be his target but you have to go with the speed the body lets you," added Jones, who's side face Cardiff this Saturday.
"You have to have goals when you are out for a lengthy period and what better target than playing for your country at a World Cup.
"That is an awesome goal that will keep him on track. He is a great professional and he will apply himself.
"It is a huge carrot, and until somebody tells him that is not achievable, that is what he will be going for."
