Cardiff Blues have confirmed that Wales captain Sam Warburton will be out of action for 12 to 16 weeks with a hamstring injury.
The 24-year-old underwent a scan with his club following the British and Irish Lions' successful tour of Australia, where the flanker suffered the injury that put him out of the final Test in Sydney.
Cardiff Blues head of medical John Miles told the club's official website: "Sam suffered a grade three tear to his left hamstring in the second Lions Test against Australia on June 29.
"He has had a scan with specialists in London yesterday which has shown the injury is already healing. He therefore does not need surgery but will require a period of rehabilitation between 12 to 16 weeks from the date of the injury.
"His rehabilitation will focus on range of motion, flexibility and specific strengthening of the hamstring in order for him to return to full health."
The injury blow has put his participation in Wales's Autumn Internationals in doubt.
