Wales flanker Justin Tipuric enjoyed a successful return from five months of injury in the Ospreys’ 71-0 preseason victory over Belgium.
The 27-year-old played 40 minutes for Steve Tandy’s men before being taken off at half-time, after fully recovering from the head injury sustained against Italy during the RBS 6 Nations.
Wales Under-20 star Keelan Giles crossed for a hat-trick in an emphatic 11-try victory for the Welshmen.
But after missing Wales’ summer tour of New Zealand – as well as any chance of turning out for Great Britain in the Olympic 7s – the return of Tipuric will surely be welcome news to Warren Gatland.
Tipuric played all five of Wales’ RBS 6 Nations clashes and is relieved to put his injury behind him ahead of the new season.
“I obviously didn’t have the nicest of times with the injury,” 44-cap international Tipuric said.
“I had a few, well-documented problems which you wouldn’t really have wanted, but everything’s good now.
“Ospreys, Wales and the specialists have all looked after me and been great to me and gone through the right channels. I’ve had the all clear and I’m looking forward to playing again.
“The first couple of games are always tough while you try to get your match fitness up. It has been a good training camp in Waterloo.”
Ospreys face Leicester again in the coming week, and may well field close to a full strength side as they build towards their opening Guinness PRO12 clash against Zebre.
