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Nick Taylor
Western Force have been rocked by the second serious injury to their front row in seven days with Wallabies tighthead Tetera Faulkner likely to miss the first six weeks of the Super Rugby season.
Tighthead Faulkner tore a medial collateral ligament at training on Tuesday. South African import, loosehead Francois van Wyk, dislocated his right wrist last week and could also miss the first six games.
The injuries have left the Force vulnerable in the crucial front row where only former Wallabies loosehead Pek Cowan, with 105 games, has any real experience.
The three remaining fit front-rowers have just 45 appearances between them and only Guy Millar has started, in two of his four games. Ollie Hoskins’ 45 caps and Chris Heiberg’s 15 have all been from the reserves bench.
The only other prop available for coach Michael Foley is 19-year-old Super Rugby rookie and wider training group member Jermaine Ainsley.
Foley faces an onerous task to replace the injured pair with the season kicking off in six weeks.
He will scrutinise the Sydney and Brisbane club competitions and will look overseas, but while the Japanese competition is coming to a close the European leagues are only halfway through their seasons.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sp...hort-on-props/