Welsh Rugby
Byrne facing lengthy spell out
ESPN Staff
December 18, 2012
Clermont Auvergne's Lee Byrne goes over for the score, Saracens v Clermont Auvergne, Heineken Cup, Vicarage Road, London, April 8, 2012
Lee Byrne is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Lee Byrne

Wales international Lee Byrne is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a back injury.

Byrne has been out of the Wales side since the 2011 World Cup but with Leigh Halfpenny an injury doubt for the 2012 Six Nations, Byrne could have been recalled to the national set-up. However, the fullback left the field in the first-half of Clermont Auvergne's game with Leinster on Saturday and could miss the Six Nations.

Clermont have confirmed that Byrne suffered a serious injury with the 32-year-old suffering "a fractured right pedicle of the fifth lumbar vertebra".

Byrne was also in the frame for a spot on the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia and he confirmed his desire to travel with the famous side once again, after touring in 2009, to ESPN last week.

With Byrne potentially sidelined for the 2013 Six Nations, interim coach Rob Howley is likely to turn to Halfpenny to continue at No.15 but if the Cardiff Blues fullback fails to recover from his injury, then Scarlets' Liam Williams is seemingly in pole position.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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