Wednesday 4 January 2017 14:51, UK
Leicester and England centre Manu Tuilagi is facing at least six months out with a serious knee injury.
Tuilagi was hurt playing for his club against Saracens in the Aviva Premiership on New Year's Day and scans have revealed damage to his anterior cruciate ligament.
The injury will cost Tuilagi the rest of the season, including England's bid to retain the Six Nations, and he is also set to miss the 2017 British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand.
Tuilagi has been plagued by groin trouble for the last two seasons and only managed one appearance off the bench for England during their unbeaten 2016 campaign.
Interim Leicester boss Aaron Mauger said: "Unfortunately Manu sustained an ACL injury in the game on Sunday that's going to put him out for the rest of the season.
"It's looking like a six-month recovery which is devastating for the bloke, he's worked so hard to get back to where he is.
"He's absolutely gutted, but we've got a good support team around him, we'll put a good plan in place and we'll see him back on the field early next season."
Mauger hopes the latest setback will not stop the 25-year-old fulfilling his potential and feels he was playing well until his injury jinx struck again.
"Manu's started to show those signs in the last couple of weeks that's he's been in probably the best space that he's ever been in," Mauger added.
"We're really proud of the growth we've seen in him as a person. He was starting to get his explosive power and speed back and is really starting to understand the game better as well.
"He's starting to become a more complete footballer which is a great space for him to be in."
