Wales international George North will miss the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa this summer due to a knee injury.
The 29-year-old will undergo surgery next week after rupturing his ACL in action for the Ospreys over the weekend.
North, who toured with the Lions in 2013 and 2017, confirmed the news on Twitter on Wednesday morning.
Sport can be cruel. We all know the risks when we take the field. Unfortunately I ruptured my ACL on Saturday and will need surgery next week. Heartbroken is an understatement. 💔 pic.twitter.com/icNDEmYmHE
— George North (@George_North) April 28, 2021
The Ospreys said: "The Ospreys can confirm wing George North has suffered an ACL injury to his right knee and will be ruled out for the rest of the season.
"The Wales wing saw a specialist in London earlier this week and will undergo surgery next week."
It is another setback for Lions head coach Warren Gatland after England lock Joe Launchbury was also ruled out with a knee injury this week.
Gatland is due to name his squad for the summer tour next week and North had been widely tipped to be given a place in the starting 15 for the first Test against South Africa in July.
North played in the centre for Wales' Six Nations title-winning campaign earlier this year and in doing so took his international appearances to 102.
The Lions take on Japan on June 26th, with their first Test against South Africa on July 24th
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