Cardiff Blues and Wales have been dealt a blow with the news that Tom Shanklin will require knee surgery that will keep him out of action for three months. Speaking at the Pavilion Training Centre, Cardiff Blues Director of Rugby, David Young, said: “Unfortunately Tom has had a scan and needs another operation on that troublesome knee which will keep him out for three months.”

“Most people saw against Aironi that he wasn’t right out there and that’s why he had to come off .The knee started to swell up straight after the game.”

“We sent him for the scan and the medics thought he needed an operation to sort the problem out. The recuperation period is 12 weeks minimum.”

“He should be back by the end of March, beginning of April, and has to get fit, so he may feature in some of our games at the end of the season.”

“Obviously, I’m sure he wants to come back as soon as possible to stake a claim for the World Cup with Wales.”