Two Barry RFC players injured in the club’s first pre-season match are likely to miss the first half of the campaign.
Rees has a hospital appointment this week when the injury will be further assessed, and Powell is currently walking but wearing a brace.
“We are quite hopeful that the news may not be as bad as first feared,” said head coach Mike Morgan.
Both players will be maintaining upper body fitness in the gym. “They are both very conscientious players,” said Morgan, “who commit themselves to be in peak physical condition.”
Barry host their final pre-season fixture at the Reservoir Field on Saturday when Nantyffyllon from Division 1 West Central are the visitors (2.30pm ko).
Both injuries will provide an opportunity for other players to step up and challenge for selection ahead of the new Admiral League campaign.
“It’s an opportunity to look at players before the season starts and give the players some quality game time. It should be fairly evenly matched, and a good test,” added Morgan.
Barry’s Division 1 East Central season begins on Saturday 6th September when the Bombers visit Llanharan. With only ten teams in the division, the season is due to end in February - with Barry playing 11 of their 18 games before Christmas.
“A condensed season brings its own challenges as the games are not so spread out. If someone is out injured for two months, they could miss eight games, almost half the season,” said Morgan.
Meanwhile, Barry's youth team have a new captain in Rhys Beherens for the Cardiff Rugby South 1 season. Their first match is home to Beddau on September 13th.
They visit Rhiwbina A the following week, and host Cardiff Quins on September 27th.
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