Australia's back-rower David Lyons will fly out with the rest of the squad for the Rugby World Cup despite suffering with a blood clot.
Wallaby No.8 set to be fit for France
Australia's back-rower David Lyons will fly out with the rest of the squad for the Rugby World Cup despite suffering deep vein thrombosis.
The Wallaby No.8 was diagnosed with a clot in his calf prior to the final Tri-Nations Test against the All Blacks in July, raising doubts for his availability in light of the French campaign.
But after two hospital procedures and a course of blood-thinning medication, the Waratahs star has been cleared by doctors to join the 30-strong squad on Thursday.
Optimistic
"It's a big relief. I was optimistic to start with but then after the first visit to hospital it blocked up again. I was thinking I might be in a bit of trouble," Lyons told the Sydney Daily Telegraph.
Specialists re-admitted him to hospital and a week after breaking down the clot, they saw a dramatic improvement. The flanker began jogging again three to four times a day.
Lyons now plans to fully train with the squad on Tuesday ahead of the Wallabies' five-day pre-tournament training camp in Portugal.
He said: "I've got to stay on the injections until the clot is completely cleared, but it's come along really well and we'll have a couple of scans over there as well to make sure it's still improving."
If selected, with 43 Test caps under his belt, Lyons will join the most on-field experienced side in Test history as Australia boast 795 caps.
"There is no doubt experience is important at the World Cup but so is the spread of experience," added Wallabies coach John Connolly.
