On February 18, 2023, Keane Naylor had his season ended early after rupturing his Achilles in a 41-12 loss at home to Plymouth. Fast Forward 371 days and the winger was back in action playing a crucial role in a hard-fought 21-10 win over Wharfedale on the same pitch. It was his first taste of victory since April 2022 and after a long rehab schedule, the winger admits the difficult rehab was worth it just to get back on the pitch playing again. Naylor praised Laura Dearnley and the rest of the back room staff for making Saturday possible.
“Laura and the rest of the medical team have been brilliant in my full rehab plan and I want to thank Laura and everyone else in getting me back playing,” Naylor said.
“I couldn’t be back playing without them.
“It was just over 12 months, but Saturday felt amazing.
“I had a lot of nervous energy but it felt great.
“I hadn’t won a game since the penultimate game of the 2021/22 season, against Hull Ionians at home.
“So, it has been a long wait to get a win. What better way to do that than in this game.
“I was unbelievably nervous before the game. The most nervous I’ve ever been before a game.
“I hadn’t made a tackle on anyone since the last game I played against Plymouth.
“You can train as much as you like at high intensity, but it never matches a game.
The long recovery was definitely worth it.
The toughest bit was putting pressure on everyone else to look after me.
But it’s all been worth it and it was great to have friends and family watching my first game back.
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 