New life goals: Full fitness, 2016 Six Nations, helping Ulster to a Champions Cup, making the 2017 Lions squad.
Stuart Olding is, today, coming to terms with the fact that he will be watching the Rugby World Cup as a fan rather than taking in the action from the pitch.
On Tuesday, we brought you the news that Olding’s season was over due to a ruptured anterior ligament injury.
Ulster then confirmed the bad news with this statement: ‘An MRI scan has confirmed that Stuart has an ACL injury in his right knee. He will require surgery and will be out of rugby for up to nine months.’
This will be the second intrusive operation Olding will have on his knee. Ulster and Ireland fans will hope the 22-year-old, who has two Test caps and a try against Georgia to his name, can return back, stronger than ever, by the turn of the year.
Last night, Olding posted this stoic take on his current injury woes:
Once again the season’s over sooner than expected. Thanks for the support! Anyone fancy coffee, I’ve some free time.. pic.twitter.com/Gh8g1noKOX
— Stuart Olding (@stuart_olding) March 31, 2015
Let’s hope so.