Last Updated: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:59
Leicester and England have been hit by the news Lewis Moody will be sidelined for 16 weeks with an Achilles injury.
The 29-year-old flanker suffered the injury in England's defeat to Wales in their opening match of the Six Nations campaign last month, but had hoped to return for last Saturday's EDF Energy Cup semi-final against Wasps. However he withdrew from the squad two days before and was told he would require another two weeks' rest earlier this week.
Moody has now confirmed that, after seeing a specialist in Sweden, he will not play for Leicester Tigers again this season and is also set to miss England's summer tour to New Zealand.
He said: "I've got a 50% rupture of the tendon."
He added: "I will miss England's tour, and also the Tigers are in the EDF final and will probably be in the League final too.
"Every game you miss is a game you can never get back. I am absolutely devastated."