Martyn Thomas' hopes of a call-up to the Wales squad for the summer tour of New Zealand have been dashed by an ankle injury.
The Newport Gwent Dragons fullback sustained the damage in the second half of Friday's Magners League defeat by Cardiff Blues at Rodney Parade and it has now been confirmed that Thomas requires surgery.
"It's devastating for Martyn," Dragons boss Paul Turner is quoted as saying by BBC Sport. "I know Thomas has been in impressing the Welsh selectors at the moment and you can't fault his commitment.
"Thomas has had a bit of a shoulder problem since Christmas. He was due to go in for an op on his shoulder on Monday and he's obviously gone in now for an op on his ankle. It looked a bad one and my thoughts go out to him. Martyn has been a star for us this season and we'll need him next season."
Marius Delport has been forced to withdraw from the Lions starting line-up for Saturday's Super 14 clash with the Bulls in Pretoria through injury.
The versatile back had been set to line out at outside centre at Loftus Versfeld but has been sidelined by a hamstring problem, meaning Deon van Rensburg will start at No.13 instead.
Van Rensburg's promotion means that there is now a place on the bench for Bernardo Botha.
Cardiff Blues face an anxious wait to see if Wales internationals Andy Powell, Jamie Roberts and Richie Rees will be available for next weekend's European Challenge Cup clash with London Wasps.
Roberts was forced off shortly before half-time in Friday night's Magners League win over the Newport Gwent Dragons with a calf problem, Roberts succumbed to a knee injury 14 minutes into the second half while Rees had to be replaced just after the hour after taking a knock to his ankle. However, Blues boss Dai Young is reportedly confident that all three will be fit to face Wasps.
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1. Max Verstappen ()
