Both the Scarlets and James 'Cubby' Davies have been dealt a major blow with news that the flanker is set to be out of action for 12 weeks.
Davies, 26, was one of the region's standout performers in their title winning Guinness Pro12 campaign last season, and appeared to pick up where he left off in this campaign with a strong individual display in his side's 57-10 win over Southern Kings last weekend.
But the Scarlets have confirmed that he will undergo surgery on his shoulder today (Friday), and is unlikely to feature in the revamped Pro14 league again before December.
"The surgery is to repair damage sustained to his shoulder last season and will keep him sidelined for twelve weeks," read a club statement.
"Despite initially trialing a period of rehabilitation the injury hasn’t improved to the level required to function and cope with the demands of competition and therefore requires Davies to go under the knife."
Former Pembrokeshire Youth and Whitland RFC player Davies was a surprise omission from Wales' South Sea Island tour last summer, and the news effectively ends his chances of an international call up during the Autumn Internationals.
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