If it really is definite then, despite his saying he'll be back before he eights, I can see little point in playing him again, unless we get even more injuries, whether in the middle or bottom eights. He's been out quite a while now and by the time he re-gains match fitness the season will be over.
If, as seems most likely, it's the bottome eights then we'd be better off giving the juniors some game time in what are basically friendlies. The experience will do them good for next year and their future careers.
