Tipuric joins Wales' casualty list
Ospreys flank Justin Tipuric has become the latest high-profile player to be ruled out of Wales' June tour of South Africa.
His Welsh region, Ospreys, confirmed on Friday that Tipuric is one of three players who will undergo surgery on long-standing injuries – all three going under the knife next week.
Chris Towers, Ospreys Medical Performance Manager, confirmed that Ashley Beck, James King and Tipuric will undergo surgery.
Beck will undergo a procedure next week on a recurring hip problem and faces a six-month recovery period.
Tipuric will have keyhole surgery next week to repair an ongoing shoulder problem and will undergo rehabilitation in the off-season and during pre-season, with a view to making himself available for selection at the start of next season.
However, both players will feature in Ospreys final Pro12 league match against Connacht at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.
Meanwhile, King underwent surgery on a recurring ankle injury on Friday, ruling him out of the final game of the season on Saturday. His recovery time is estimated at four months.
Tipuric's loss follows that of Welsh hooker Richard Hibbard (shoulder surgery) and Wales captain Sam Warburton (dislocated shoulder).
It means Wales will be without two frontline openside flanks.
Wales' tour of South Africa
June 10: Warm-up match v Eastern Province Kings in Port Elizabeth
June 14: First Test, Durban
June 21: Second Test, Nelspruit
