Young wing Eli Walker will miss the start of the 2012/13 season after it was confirmed that he will undergo surgery this weekend to repair shoulder ligaments.
The 20-year old from Swansea enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last time around, adding 14 regional appearances to his solitary outing off the bench in the previous season - scoring two tries including an eye-catching solo effort away to Ulster in February.
He then travelled to South Africa for the Junior World Championship last month, scoring two tries in four games as Wales Under-20 finished in third place.
After an initial couple of days to recuperate from surgery, Walker will commence a programme of daily treatment and rehab next week, with the target of a return to action around the end of October.
