George Williams injury update as Warrington Wolves lean on ‘mad’ rugby union programme

Warrington Wolves are leaning on the help of rugby union to get George Williams back to full fitness earlier than originally anticipated.

Williams underwent surgery on an ankle injury last month after damaging the joint while in action against Hull FC in round seven.

The expectation at the time was that Williams will miss the next eight to 10 weeks and so far he has sat out of three Super League games. He’ll miss this weekend’s Challenge Cup semi-final, too, with Warrington just 80 minutes away from another appearance at Wembley Stadium against either Hull KR or Catalans Dragons.

However, should Warrington manage to overcome Leigh Leopards on Sunday, Williams will be pushing to be involved at the national stadium. The skipper has revealed that he is following a programme used by Irish rugby union outfit Leinster, which has seen players return from similar injuries earlier than expected.

As such, Williams hopes to be back after just seven weeks and that keeps his hopes of leading the Wolves out at Wembley alive.

Warrington Wolves skipper gives injury update

“10 weeks is what they normally say, 8-10 weeks,” Williams said on The Bench podcast.

“I think we’re following a programme that Leinster rugby union have used which is getting players back in seven, so that’s the goal for me.

“I’ve had two weeks off already after surgery and it’s five weeks till Wembley. The posh word is syndesmosis but it’s basically you rupture your ankle ligament.

“I did the grade 2 which is not a full rupture but a tear in round one last year so it was basically a ticking time bomb for me really. If you’ve already got little toes in there then eventually the same movement will snap it, which happened to me.

“That’d be seven weeks, two days. So it’s been done before but only two players have made it back in seven weeks. So that’s a goal. Obviously it all depends on the semi but if we do win I’ll be putting my hand up to play, hopefully.

“They’re Leinster rugby union players so I’m not too sure (who they are). They’ve got this mad programme that they’re following, so I’m on the same.”