There has been some positive news today for the Ireland back row and South African captain Jean de Villiers
Chris Henry has spoken for the first time about suffering from a blocked blood vessel in his brain and undergoing surgery to correct a heart defect. The medical issue was discovered the night before Ireland took on South Africa in the Guinness Series and required a rapid intervention. Henry is hoping to return in time for the Six Nations but insists he is heeding his worried mum’s advice to take his recovery slowly.
The Ulster and Ireland back row told his club’s website, ‘It’s been great to be back in amongst the boys. I haven’t been doing too much so far, I’ve just been on the bike for about 30 minutes each day but it’s great to be back in the environment, around the team and being in the mix with everybody.’
The 30-year-old that adds, ‘It’s been a scary few weeks to be honest but I feel very lucky that I was in that environment and getting such incredible medical expertise so quickly.
‘They got to the bottom of things swiftly and I think that’s the most important thing; when something like that happens, the unknown is the scary thing and to have clarity on what was going on and having the problem fixed so quickly – for me, I feel very lucky’
Meanwhile, former Munster player Jean de Villiers is recovering from surgery on his injured knee today. South Africa team doctor Craig Roberts is hopeful the procedure will allow the Springbok captain to successfully return to the playing field.
The surgery included had a full reconstruction of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments with an artificial graft, as well as a repair of the medial collateral ligament. De Villiers said, ‘I would like to thank every medical practitioner involved in my injury, from Saturday when it happened until today’s operation.
‘My focus will now be on the arrival of our third child in the coming days. Thereafter it will be about recovering as soon as possible so I can start with my rehabilitation. I still have my sights set on going to next year’s Rugby World Cup and will do everything in my power to get to England.’
