The Gloucester number eight went under the knife to repair a ligament tear sustained on international duty against South Africa in June.

It represented a third knee operation for the 25-year-old, who has also had both shoulders reconstructed.

“It never seems to be a niggle with me – it always seems to be something major,” he said,

“This was my third knee op. But I know this is something I can get over and become an even better player.

“I'm okay after the surgery. It's very sore and it's pretty tough to get around at the moment, but it's one of those things.

"I was very disappointed it happened in the last game of the season. It was really bad timing, having had a good season with Gloucester and breaking into the Wales side.”