Bath Rugby has been dealt a significant blow as star winger Will Muir has been ruled out for the remainder of the season following a shoulder injury sustained in the Champions Cup semi-final defeat to Bordeaux.
The 27-year-old, who scored two tries before leaving the field in the 66th minute of the match in France earlier this month, has now seen a specialist and will undergo surgery. Head of rugby Johann van Graan confirmed the devastating news, calling it "a massive shame" for both the player and the club.
"Unfortunately Will Muir is season ending with his shoulder," van Graan told BBC Radio Bristol. "He will get an operation on his shoulder later this week. That's not great news for Will and not great news for us, but that is rugby and it's part and parcel of it."
This latest setback is especially cruel for Muir, who missed the first four months of the campaign after suffering an ankle injury during a pre-season match against Worcester—an injury that also required surgery. Since returning in January, he had started 11 games and was hitting top form, showcasing his aerial prowess, defensive solidity, and try-scoring ability.
The timing couldn't be worse on the international front either. Muir, who earned his first two England caps in Argentina last July, will now be ineligible for selection this summer—a tough pill to swallow for a player who had fought so hard to get back on the pitch.
"He came back and built himself up and he's had a fantastic few weeks, not only in the air but defensively, finishing some tries," van Graan added. "He's one of the more likeable men in rugby, so we're all gutted for him. We've been here before with many players, so we'll back him up and hopefully get him back on the field as soon as we can in the next season."
There is some positive news on the injury front, however. Centre Louis Hennessey, who was also injured in the same European match, is expected to be out for only a few weeks. "We hope to have him back in training at the back end of next week or in Bristol week (29 May)," van Graan said. "That's not necessarily a back to play, that's back to train."
Additionally, prop Archie Griffin will remain available for the rest of the season after being ruled out of Wales' summer programme to undergo surgery on a persistent foot issue. "It's on his foot, and we'll take our time with it," van Graan noted.
As Bath prepare to host Newcastle, the squad will need to dig deep and rally together, knowing that every player's journey—whether it's a season-ending injury or a short-term setback—is part of the relentless, unpredictable nature of the sport we love.