Justin Tipuric's rugby career over unless team-mates can give him one more shot
Justin Tipuric's rugby career over unless team-mates can give him one more shot
The Wales and Ospreys legend is retiring at the end of the season and won't play again unless the Welsh side can make the URC play-offs
Tipuric will become the Ospreys' defence coach from next season
(Image: Gareth Everett/Huw Evans Agency )
Justin Tipuric is relying on his team-mates to give him at least one more game as a professional rugby player.
The Wales great is targeting a potential United Rugby Championship play-off return after not travelling to South Africa for the Ospreys' final league matches against Sharks and Lions. He has not featured since suffering a pectoral injury against Lyon in April, with the openside retiring after this season to take up a role on the club's coaching staff.
Mark Jones' side sit 11th in the table, likely needing two wins to make the play-offs and offer hope that Tipuric hasn't already played his final game of rugby. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
"Fingers crossed, we'll be coming back to a fixture he's available for and we're trying to keep the fires burning this end so that he hasn't played his last game of rugby," Jones said on Tipuric, who is currently rehabbing in Wales.
"The medics have certainly said that (a return) is not out of the question and he's certainly targeting that.
"He hasn't stepped over into the coaching world yet and is still behaving like a player and is doing his best to be available should Ospreys require him.
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"There's no doubt that'll be in the back of players' minds, because he's been an incredible part of the Ospreys for a long time. He's a player that makes us better.
"That's what we're trying to keep the fire burning this end, so he hasn't played his last game of rugby."
Jones, meanwhile, has backed Jac Morgan and Dewi Lake to thrive on a Lions tour, should either make Andy Farrell's selection for the tour of Australia later today.
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The pair will find out if they've made the squad this afternoon when Farrell's squad is announced at the O2 in London.
Morgan and Lake will be miles away in South Africa, likely on a bus from the airport to their hotel in Durban ahead of Friday's game with the Sharks.
Ospreys coach Jones believes that both would make fine tourists, should they get the nod.
"I think they could massively thrive," he said. "The age profile of them, how thirsty they are to get better is evident to us on a daily basis.
"But I think going in around more people of that level, who think the same but have maybe been on tours before or have won trophies, that'll be incredible learning.
"You'll have a whole lot of growth out of those conversations. Different coaches and a different tour, it's packed with games.
"It can be a real challenge for a player, but I think they'll thrive in that environment. They'll only become better for it.
"I'm sure those boys will have been part of discussions by the Lions coaches. I'm sure of that, from their international performances and Ospreys performances.
"Hopefully there'll be one or two more considered, too. Fingers crossed we've got some exciting news to celebrate."
He added: "It'll be a nerve-wracking time for those boys who think they're in the reckoning. No player ever thinks they're guaranteed. It's such a high-quality crop of players vying for those roles.
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"Those guys will be nervous. They'll want to go. We've had a conversation about that, how we handle it either way. We're ready for it.
"Hopefully we'll be somewhere where everyone can enjoy it together and make it a moment to remember."
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