Freak injury sidelines Ospreys flank

Ospreys flank James King has had to have plastic surgery after a freak collision with Cardiff Blues loose forward Xavier Rush left his ear hanging by a thread in their clash on New Year’s Day.

The 21-year-old had to leave the field after just six minutes of the Welsh derby at the Liberty Stadium and was taken straight to the hospital in Swansea where he was treated at The Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery.

Ospreys forward coach revealed the shocking nature of the injury.

“He more or less ripped an ear off in a tackle. He collided with Rushie and it’s quite a nasty one,” he explained.

The 17-12 win solidified the Ospreys’ position in second place on the Pro12 table, but it is not clear when King will be available for selection again.