Edinburgh-bound Barclay’s Scarlets career over following Achilles surgery

Scotland captain John Barclay will be unable to represent the Scarlets in the Pro14 final and also appears certain to miss the start of the 2018-19 season with new club Edinburgh after undergoing surgery on a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Barclay suffered the injury last Friday as the Scarlets – last year’s Pro14 champions – beat Glasgow Warriors to reach the final for a second year in succession.

A statement from the Scarlets on Tuesday confirmed the back-row forward had gone under the knife, meaning his five-year stay at the club has ended on a sad note.

In their statement, the Scarlets explained: “Together with the Scottish Rugby Union and Edinburgh Rugby we have made arrangements for John to begin his recovery and rehabilitation in Edinburgh.”

A tweet from the Welsh region added: “All the very best and thanks for the memories. #onceascarlet.”

NEWS | @johnbarc86 underwent surgery yesterday to repair his Achilles Tendon. Together with @Scotlandteam & @EdinburghRugby we have made arrangements for John to begin his recovery and rehabilitation in Edinburgh.
All the very best and thanks for the memories. #onceascarlet pic.twitter.com/zP42ZoxyKu

— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) May 22, 2018

Barclay’s move to Edinburgh from the start of the 2018-19 campaign was announced last November.

In addition to potentially missing the beginning of next season, he must also be viewed as a doubt for Scotland’s November internationals given the severity of his injury.

Barclay had already been rested for Scotland’s June Tests against Canada, the United States and Argentina.

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