Saracen’s Andy Farrell will miss the start of the new season after fracturing and dislocating his thumb in a warm-up match.
The centre missed two months of the last season with a shoulder injury and could well be sidelined for the same period of time again.
Farrell, who has had persistent injury problems since moving to Rugby Union is disappointed with the situation but is optimistic about his return.
He commented, “I can still train and I shall use this time to get fitter and stronger and turn this time into an advantage.”