Three years on from his last game of rugby, Cory Allen has taken “a massive step forward” on the road to recovery.
It was in September 2019 that the Welsh international threequarter sustained a career changing injury while playing for the Ospreys against Ulster out in Belfast, with damage to the anterior cruciate ligament and cartilage in his right knee. Since then he has been hit by a series of setbacks.
Now 29, the man who scored a hat-trick of tries from the centre during Wales’ opening game of the 2015 World Cup against Uruguay is currently with the Dragons. The news from there is encouraging. There finally appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel for the Barry boy, who first made his mark with Cardiff Blues.
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Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan said: “He’s training now double days, last week and this week, for the first time in three years. That’s a massive step forward.
“We just need to look after him first and foremost and make sure we are not putting him at any risk. Once he gets a consistent amount of training, we will start talking about when he can get some games. That’s still a little bit away and there is no date in mind for him yet.”
Giving his thoughts on the six-times capped Allen, Flanagan added: “The first thing I have enjoyed with Cory is his rugby intelligence and his commitment to the place.
“He has been constantly coming up with ideas and variations on how we can do stuff. He comes in here and I try to make sure he is valued because he adds so much every day.”
As for how Allen has faced up to his long lay-off, Flanagan said: “He has got a real good support network outside of the place. I know he’s close to a lot of players like Gareth Anscombe and Liam Williams, to name a few. I am sure they have supported him through this period. They have been through injuries themselves and come out the other end. Having people like that around Cory helps him.”
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