Kieran Hardy: Wales and Ospreys scrum-half suffers lengthy injury blow

Wales and Ospreys have suffered a significant blow with scrum-half Kieran Hardy facing knee surgery and months on the sidelines.

Hardy, 30, started the 38-31 win at Dragons on Friday night, but had to be helped from the field during the first half in evident pain.

He was sent for scans after the game and on Tuesday, Ospreys transition coach Richard Kelly confirmed Hardy needs a spell on the sidelines.

"He's had a serious injury and is going to need surgery," said Kelly.

"We won't know the exact timeline [of recovery], but we are probably talking months over weeks.

"We'll have to wait until post-operation and talk to the surgeon."

Ospreys seal first win of season in derby thriller

Davies urged to reverse retirement for World Cup

Hardy was a standout player for his side during the 2025-26 United Rugby Championship campaign, and the 32-cap international had been expected to retain his place in Steve Tandy's Wales squad for the upcoming November Tests.

Kelly said: "We're gutted for Kieran obviously. He's been playing some excellent rugby for us - last season and then continuing into this one.

"He was pretty down after the game on Saturday and since then he's been waiting for the scan results.

"He's got clarity at least about the surgery, but obviously he's disappointed.

"Hopefully he'll have a good rehab process and we get him back on the pitch and back to the level of form he's been showing for us."

Hardy blow likely to increase calls for Davies

While Tomos Williams was the first choice for Wales at scrum-half in the 2026 Six Nations, Hardy was cemented as his number two.

He was in the matchday squad for all five games, replacing the Gloucester man in three of them, and was almost certain to feature again when Tandy's side take on Japan on Saturday, 7 November in Cardiff.

But given his lay-off is likely to be prolonged, not only will the former Scarlets player miss the international games this autumn, but he also appears a serious doubt for next year's Six Nations.

That may pave the way for Ospreys team-mate Reuben Morgan-Williams, but is also likely to increase calls for Gareth Davies to reverse his international retirement.

The 36-year-old scrum-half sparked a Scarlets comeback from 21-7 down to beat Benetton on Saturday, leading ex-Wales hooker Scott Baldwin to back him to play in next year's Rugby World Cup.

Davies retired from Test rugby in 2024, having won 77 caps for his country and scored 17 tries.