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Baldwin feared he could lose hand after lion bite

Ospreys hooker Scott Baldwin

Wales hooker Scott Baldwin has revealed he could have lost his hand after he was bitten by a lion last month.

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Baldwin sustained the injury after attempting to stroke the animal at a game lodge ahead of the Ospreys’ Pro14 clash with the Cheetahs.

The bizarre incident ruled him out of the Welsh region’s defeat in Bloemfontein and he is yet to make his playing return.

Baldwin’s injuries required stitches but the 29-year-old says an infection posed the biggest threat.

“The infection was the major issue,” he told the BBC.

“The next day it started tracking up my arm. The surgeon said there was a chance I could lose my hand.

“The bite went straight through the other side of the hand, but I was really lucky it didn’t hit any tendons or ligaments.

“The surgeon said it was like winning the lottery, he said it was the best possible outcome considering I had been bitten by a lion.”

Discussing his recovery, Baldwin – capped 34 times by Wales – added: “The first day our doctor cleaned it out and stitched it up. But the following day we went to the hospital after it had become infected.

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“I had my first operation on the Thursday, second operation on the Friday, and then I was allowed to fly home Saturday on the understanding I had an IV drip and went straight to hospital when I got back.

“I was transferred to Morriston Hospital in Swansea to see a plastic surgeon, and he cleaned it out once more.

“Because they had packed it with all of the stuff to stop the infection, my skin was so loose he didn’t have to take a skin graft, so I was really fortunate there.”

Baldwin hopes to be in contention to feature for the Ospreys against Saracens in the Champions Cup on Saturday.

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S
Soliloquin 18 minutes ago
Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

233 Go to comments
S
Soliloquin 35 minutes ago
Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


I really hope that:

-Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

-Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

-Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

233 Go to comments
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