Chris Cusiter comeback bid hit by shoulder surgery

By DAVID FERGUSON
Published on 22/03/2013 00:00

GLASGOW and Scotland scrum-half Chris Cusiter has been ruled out for the rest of the season, ending his hopes of joining the Warriors’ bid for a first RaboDirect PRO12 title and making Scotland’s South African tour.

The news is the latest in a series of setbacks for Cusiter, who started the season hoping a return to form could even see him on the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia, eight years after he first wore the red jersey.

The 30-year-old dislocated his shoulder playing for Glasgow against Ospreys in September and was initially ruled out of action for three months. However, his recovery dragged on and he was not available for Scotland’s Six Nations campaign.

The 55-times capped former Scotland skipper has been back to full training in recent weeks but there was pain as he stepped up contact and a scan has shown new damage to the joint.

Doctors remain confident that an operation will solve the problem and that Cusiter will return for pre-season training.

Warriors coach Gregor Townsend said: “Chris has done everything in training, and full contact, and was complaining about a little bit of pain in the back of the shoulder. The more he’s stepped up and done in contact at training – that’s what has brought on the pain.

“It is a major blow. With the amount of rehab he’s done, being out for six months, and coming back at this great time of the season would have been fantastic for us, but Chris is very confident, having spoken with the specialist, that this [operation] will fix the issues and he’ll be flying for us next season.”

Glasgow are hoping that their season does not finish until 25 May, the date of the Rabo Direct PRO12 final and, with Scotland heading to South Africa for a quadrangular tournament involving the hosts, Samoa and Italy the following week, Cusiter’s hopes of featuring in either seem to have been dashed.