Byrne & Williams out of Wales squad for South Africa

Lee Byrne and Martyn Williams will miss Wales’ tour to South Africa next month.

The fullback and flanker were ruled out of the two-test tour on Saturday with knee injuries.

Williams hurt his knee while playing in Cardiff’s 39-11 win over Connacht on Friday night. Byrne faces keyhole surgery on his left knee.

“Martyn’s scan revealed torn ligaments,” Wales team physiotherapist Mark Davies said Saturday.

“He is currently in a brace and awaiting further surgical opinion early next week, but the injury rules him out of the summer tour.” Byrne will soon undergo surgery. He played in Ospreys’ 19-18 loss to Edinburgh on Friday night.

“Lee has been suffering intermittent pain and swelling of his left knee,” Ospreys physio Chris Towers said. “Although this hasn’t been limiting his ability to perform on the rugby field, it had started to impact on certain aspects of his training.

“So, in the best interests of Lee, the decision has been taken to use the summer break to deal with the problem by way of arthroscopic surgery to resolve the issue.”

Sapa-AP – Rugbyweek.com