Sam Warburton set for surgery and lengthy absence
Cardiff Blues and Wales star Sam Warburton is to undergo surgery following the recurrence of a long-standing neck injury.
The Blues said that former Wales skipper Warburton, who captained the British and Irish Lions in New Zealand this summer, faces up to four months out.
It means that Warburton will miss Wales' autumn Tests against Australia, Georgia, New Zealand and South Africa.
The Blues, 100/1 for the Guinness Pro 14 with Sky Bet, said that 28-year-old Warburton had "exacerbated" the injury in training this week.
Warburton had yet to make his first appearance of the season after a post-Lions break before returning to training.
"Sam Warburton will undergo surgery following a recurrence of a long-standing neck injury," the Welsh region said.
"The Cardiff Blues flanker, who led the British and Irish Lions to a drawn Test series with New Zealand in the summer, exacerbated the injury in training this week.
"He has undergone scans and has been reviewed by a consultant, who confirmed the management plan.
"It is likely that Sam will miss a period of up to four months."
Flanker Warburton has played 74 times for Wales and led the Lions on their last two tours - Australia 2013 and then New Zealand.
His absence is a huge blow for the Blues and Wales, with Warburton set to have been a key part of national head coach Warren Gatland's Test plans in November and December.
Wales launch their autumn series against the Wallabies in Cardiff on November 11, before hosting Georgia, then the All Blacks and finally South Africa on December 2.
Ospreys and Lions flanker Justin Tipuric would be the clerar favourite to wear Wales' number seven shirt in Warburton's absence.
The current recovery timescale, though, indicates that Warburton will be available for Wales' RBS 6 Nations campaign this season, which they kick off against Scotland on February 3.
For the Blues, Warburton's absence comes after they recently lost the services of his fellow flanker Ellis Jenkins for up to 12 weeks because of a serious hamstring injury.
Warburton has undergone a handful of operations during his career, and the latest setback means he is denied an early rematch against New Zealand following the Lions' exploits.
A catalogue of previous injuries include a dislocated shoulder, torn hamstring, ankle ligament damage and fractured cheekbone, but he has always returned from such blows and maintained world-class form.
Warburton's loss from the autumn games could leave Gatland facing close assessment of his back-row resources.
While number eight Taulupe Faletau has been performing superbly for Bath this season, Gloucester's Ross Moriarty has yet to return from injury and seasoned Ospreys campaigner Dan Lydiate has been recovering from knee ligament damage suffered late last year.
Openside flanker specialist Warburton has also filled the blindside role on a number of occasions for Wales, but that option has now been lost to Gatland as he looks ahead to the autumn fixtures.
The Blues, meanwhile, lost their opening two games in the Guinness PRO14, while a European Challenge Cup campaign that begins next month has seen them drawn in the same pool as Toulouse, Lyon and Sale Sharks.
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