Kieran Hardy faces 2027 World Cup race after knee surgery

Wales scrum-half Kieran Hardy has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery on a serious knee injury, leaving the 30-year-old in a race to be fit for next year's Rugby World Cup in Australia.

Hardy was hurt during Ospreys' United Rugby Championship victory over Dragons at Rodney Parade, according to BBC Rugby Union, with Ruck separately reporting he has been stood down with immediate effect and now carries genuine World Cup doubt.

Ospreys head coach Mark Jones confirmed the operation had taken place this week and described the extent of the damage. "It is a serious knee injury which has needed surgery, which tells you its extent," Jones said.

"It was a major ligament of the knee and he has got some other bits and pieces that needed rectifying as well."

Jones was clear that there is no prospect of Hardy featuring again before the end of the campaign. "We are definitely not going to see him this season, we just hope he has a good rehabilitation, there are no kinks in the road and everything goes to plan."

The coach's focus has already turned to next season, with the 2027 World Cup, which starts in October that year, identified as the target for Hardy's return. "We will be crossing everything that he is around for the start of the next season and his availability with the World Cup on the horizon."

Hardy has established himself as Tomos Williams' regular deputy at scrum-half for Wales but has never actually played in a World Cup, despite being called into the squad for the 2023 tournament in France as injury cover.

His absence has prompted changes to Wales' plans for next month. Ospreys team-mate Reuben Morgan-Williams and the uncapped Dragons scrum-half Che Hope have both been named in Steve Tandy's squad for the Nations Championship in November.

Jones was careful to frame the World Cup as a motivating target rather than a certainty, given the uncertain timeline of recovery from such surgery. "That will be his target but you have to go with the speed the body lets you."

"You have to have goals when you are out for a lengthy period and what better target than playing for your country at a World Cup."

The Ospreys coach praised Hardy's attitude and suggested the World Cup goal would sustain him through a difficult rehabilitation. "That is an awesome goal that will keep him on track. He is a great professional and he will apply himself."

"It is a huge carrot, and until somebody tells him that is not achievable, that is what he will be going for."

Wales now move into the Nations Championship in November without one of their established scrum-half options, with Morgan-Williams and Hope competing to fill the void behind Tomos Williams while Hardy begins what is expected to be a lengthy recovery.