British & Irish Lion Justin Tipuric is unlikely to return in time for the start of the new season as he continues his recovery from shoulder surgery over the summer.
The Ospreys flanker took the decision to go under the knife to cure a long-standing problem but has not yet returned to full contact training with his club side in pre-season.
Tipuric came off the bench in the third and final Test of the Lions’ historic series win in Australia last year and the 25-year-old admits he cannot wait to get back to action.
“I’m not going to be starting contact for a few weeks so when I find out when I can do that, I can get back playing,” he told Wales Online.
“I haven’t joined back in with the boys yet, I’ve been doing a bit of training on my own and getting the shoulder strengthened as well as doing a little bit of fitness on the side.
“It’s been a little bit different for me with my first proper operation.
“I’ve been doing my rehab and building back up and things have been going well so far.
“I don’t like missing much rugby to be honest but it’s part of the game when you get injured. It’s given me a little bit of a break in the summer and hopefully I’ve made the most of it.”
