The Edinburgh Gunners forward was stretchered off during the RBS 6 Nations defeat by Ireland on Saturday and now faces the rest of the year on the sidelines with ligament damage.

Taylor has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee and underwent surgery on Sunday night.

Taylor will now miss the European Cup quarter-finals against Toulouse next month plus the summer and autumn Test series, which will involve three games against Australia.

It is a bitter blow for the 24-year-old, who was forced out of the Lions tour Down Under in 2001 through injury.

But Scotland team doctor James Robson is confident the player will bounce back after his recovery.

He said: "This is the type of injury, similar to Andrew Mower's ahead of the Rugby World Cup, that has happened to a number of players including Nathan Hines and Marcus Di Rollo.

"We are pleased that Simon underwent surgery so quickly after the injury took place and we are feeling very positive about the prognosis.

Simon is now looking ahead to the hard work that faces him with SRU physios Stuart Barton and Stevie Mutch on his recovery to full fitness."

The news will be another major disappointment for Scotland head coach Matt Williams after the defeat by Ireland left his team clutching the wooden spoon following a whitewash of defeats.

Taylor is one of the best players at the former Leinster coachs disposal and his loss for the rest of 2004 will severely hinder preparations for the rest of the year.