Welsh scrum-half Kieran Hardy underwent surgery this week for a serious knee injury, confirmed Ospreys head coach Mark Jones. Hardy sustained the injury during his team's United Rugby Championship victory over the Dragons at Rodney Parade.
Jones stated that it was a serious knee injury requiring surgery, with the main knee ligament affected. According to him, additional repairs were also necessary. "He certainly won't be around this season," Jones said, adding that he hopes for a good rehabilitation without setbacks and that Hardy could be available at the start of the next season.
Hardy, who is 30 years old, had been a regular substitute for Tomos Williams in the Welsh national team. He has never played a World Cup match, but was called up to the squad in 2023 as a replacement due to an injury during the tournament in France. Jones highlighted that Hardy's goal would be the World Cup, which is held in Australia and starts in October 2027, but that he must proceed at a pace his body allows. "Playing for your country at a World Cup is a great goal," added the Ospreys coach, calling Hardy a great professional and emphasising that it is a huge motivation.
Meanwhile, Hardy's Ospreys clubmate Reuben Morgan-Williams and uncapped Dragons number nine Che Hope have been named in Tandy's squad for the Nations Championship, which takes place in November.
