The fly-half suffered injury heartbreak at the end of last season but is hoping to be back in action in a few months
Welsh fly-half Sam Davies has shown off his new scar after undergoing surgery on his shoulder, having dislocated it during his Grenoble side’s shock defeat in last season’s Top 14 Access Match play-off final.
The former Ospreys and Dragons man, who left Welsh rugby behind to join Grenoble in 2023, had another highly impressive campaign for the French side as he helped them to finish top of the Pro D2 table with a string of outstanding performances in the No.10 jersey.
Such a commanding display in the regular season meant it looked as though Davies and his team-mates were finally set to make it into the top flight of French rugby, having lost both the play-off final and the Access Match – in which the play-off loser faces the second-bottom team in the Top 14 in a last bid for promotion – in each of the last two seasons.
However, there was to be more heartbreak for Grenoble as they lost in the first play-off final to underdogs Montauban before falling to a narrow 13-11 defeat to Perpignan in the Access Match, consigning them to another season in the second tier.
To make matters more frustrating for Davies, he had been forced off the field just four minutes into the Perpignan clash, having dislocated his shoulder as a result of a highly controversial challenge from centre Jeronimo de la Fuente. The high speed clearout, which saw de la Fuente’s head collide with the Welshman’s shoulder, went unpunished by the referee.
While Davies bravely returned to the action after being heavily taped up, he tried but ultimately failed to rally his side and lead them to victory, with the injury clearly having an impact on his game.
The 31-year-old has since gone under the knife to fix his shoulder and has now taken to Instagram to show off his scar and provide an update on his recovery, telling fans that he hopes to be back in action in November.
“Post op week 2 update,” Davies wrote. “Stitches are out. Range of motion coming back slowly and painfully, but all is positive!!
“Even the tough days are met with a beautiful little daughter and wife to be grateful for! So what more could I want.“In reality this is a small operation to what some people are going through and have been through,” he added. “This is a thought I have every single morning.
“The hard work is about to start and I can’t wait. Hoping to get back out on the pitch in November. Looking forward to having a stronger shoulder than ever. #neverjacklingagain”.
It comes after the heartbroken fly-half issued an emotional statement to supporters after his side missed out on promotion for the third season in a row.
“The pain never stops, but the motivation grows,” he wrote. “Thank you to our wonderful supporters. I assure you, we will be back stronger.
“After dislocating my shoulder four minutes into the final, here’s to a challenge that raises many questions. It was difficult to play through the pain, but I would do it again and again for this team.”
He later added: “New shoulder incoming. Beautiful season with a difficult ending. I will be back more determined and motivated than ever! And so will this beautiful team. Big love and as always thanks for the support!”