SKIPPER GJ van Velze has been given an extended break by Warriors to recover from a concussion he suffered last month.
The back row, who has been out of action since Warriors’ curtain-raising Aviva Premiership clash against Saracens at Twickenham, will watch from the sidelines over the coming weeks as he goes through the club’s return-to-play concussion protocol.
The South African has suffered a series of concussions over the past year and it is not yet known when he will be pulling on the No 8 jersey again.
High performance director Nick Johnston said: “As a club we have a duty of care over an athlete’s wellbeing. The long-term welfare of a player is of utmost importance and even though GJ is desperate to play, we have to manage him correctly by looking after him.
“If a player returns too early before they have fully recovered, it may result in prolonged concussion symptoms and possible long-term health consequences, so it’s imperative that it’s handled with due care and diligence.
“GJ has seen all the relevant specialists and having gone through the correct procedure, he’s not yet ready to return to action.
“He still needs more time to recover and we’ll ensure he goes through the correct protocol.
“It’s in the interests of both GJ and the club that the situation is dealt with carefully and correctly.”