Rugby College: Wales star Matthew Rees faces spell out of rugby after testicular surgery

Tuesday, 22 October 2013

Wales star Matthew Rees faces spell out of rugby after testicular surgery

Cardiff Blues have announced captain Matthew Rees will have an enforced spell away from rugby as he undergoes testicular surgery.

Hooker Rees will miss Friday’s league trip to Ulster and faces a lengthy period on the sidelines.

The statement read: “Cardiff Blues have today announced that club captain Matthew Rees is to have an enforced spell away from rugby.

“Matthew, who joined the region from Scarlets this summer, will miss Friday’s league trip to Ulster Rugby as he will undergo testicular surgery.

“Cardiff Blues would like to take this opportunity to wish Matthew a speedy recovery and we look forward to seeing him back in action in the future.

“The region will be making no further comment and would ask that the media respect Matthew’s privacy at this time.”

The Lions hooker has won 58 Wales caps with three Lions Tests appearances in South Africa in 2009 and captained his country eight times.

Rees, who left Parc y Scarlets after nine years last summer, had signed a two-year deal at the Arms Park.

The 32-year-old had been named to lead the Blues in their famous Heineken Cup victory over Toulon last Saturday at the Arms Park but pulled out just before kick-off.

Rees replaced an injured Ryan Jones as Wales captain against Australia in November 2010, and he skippered his country during the RBS 6 Nations Championship later that season.

He missed the 2001 World Cup in New Zealand, though, due to a neck injury and his current Blues colleague Sam Warburton took over as national captain.

Although Richard Hibbard is the current first-choice Wales hooker, Rees had remained an important part of the squad under head coach Warren Gatland.

Rees began his career with Welsh club side Pontypridd before joining the Celtic Warriors until they were dissolved, He then went on to make more than 170 appearances for the Scarlets, and linked up with the Blues earlier this year.