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14:34 GMT, Friday, 28 March 2008

Sowden-Taylor out of Wales tour

Robin Sowden-Taylor

Blues and Wales open-side flanker Robin Sowden-Taylor has joined Ospreys and Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips in being ruled out for the rest of the season.

The 25-year-old faces reconstructive surgery next week on a shoulder injury from the 35-17 loss to the Scarlets.

Scarlets prop Deacon Manu was suspended for two weeks for a tackle on Sowden-Taylor during the game.

The five-cap flanker misses next week's Heineken Cup quarter-final in Toulouse and Wales' tour of South Africa.

606: DEBATE
How big a loss is this to Wales and the Blues?

"Robin has damaged the ligaments in his acromio-clavicular joint, which is a small joint which connects to his main shoulder joint," said Blues physiotherapist Tim Atter, who expects the player back in full-contact training in July or August.

Sowden-Taylor, who missed most of last season with a serious ankle injury, is seen as one of the favourites to succeed Blues team-mate Martyn Williams in the Wales seven jersey.

But Williams has boosted Wales by declaring his desire to make the two-Test June tour of South Africa.

"I feel good, I'm fresh enough and, physically and mentally, I feel great"
Martyn Williams on Wales' summer tour

"I had had a very casual chat with [Wales coach] Warren Gatland where he asked me how I was feeling and whether I fancied going on tour," said the 81-cap 32-year-old.

"I said if you want to take me I will definitely go and we just left it at that really.

"I didn't think I would be going, but by all accounts from when I spoke to him he is keen to take me - and I'm keen to go."

"I feel good, I'm fresh enough and, physically and mentally, I feel great.

"It has been a long year, what with the World Cup, but I have been fortunate that I've not had to play week-in, week-out for the Blues because Robin has been there.

"At this moment, I feel fine. It is a long season, but we are managed pretty well and the tour will only be a couple of weeks - and just two games."



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Related to this story:

Heineken Cup 2007/8 (23 May 07 |  Rugby Union )
Magners Celtic League 2007/8 (23 Jul 07 |  Rugby Union )
Wales set South Africa tour plans (27 Mar 08 |  Welsh )
Edinburgh v Blues (Fri) (27 Mar 08 |  Edinburgh )
Manu handed two-week suspension (26 Mar 08 |  Cardiff Blues )
Scarlets 35-17 Blues (21 Mar 08 |  Welsh )
Blues forwards sign new contracts (08 Jan 08 |  Cardiff Blues )

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