British & Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton will be out of action for up to four months with a hamstring tear.
The Cardiff Blues flanker sustained the injury in the second Lions Test against the Wallabies and further scans revealed the full extent of the injury.
With an estimated recovery time of 12 to 16 weeks, it is likely the Wales captain will miss the Autumn Tests against South Africa, Argentina, Tonga and Australia but could be back for the third and fourth round of the Heineken Cup in December.
Cardiff Blues Head of Medical John Miles said: “Sam suffered a grade three tear to his left hamstring in the second Lions test against Australia on the 29th of June.
“He has had a scan with specialists in London yesterday which has shown the injury is already healing. He therefore does not need surgery but will require a period of rehabilitation between 12 to 16 weeks from the date of the injury.”