Scotland and Lions full-back Stuart Hogg is set to miss the three November internationals after requiring surgery to a wrist injury.
The 21-year-old suffered the injury in Glasgow’s win over Rabodirect PRO12 champions Leinster last month, but despite him being rested the last three weeks his condition had not improved.
Warriors head coach Gregor Townsend revealed the full-back’s injury ahead of the opening Heineken Cup game at reigning champions Toulon.
“The wrist just didn’t get better,” he said.
“He had a small operation on the scaphoid bone and it’ll take several weeks to recover so I would think the autumn is out for him.”
Scotland’s first November test against Japan is on November 9, followed by South Africa on the 17th and Australia on the 23rd.
The recovery prognosis is that Hogg could be back in training by the Springbok game, but will have not played for nearly two months by that time.
“It’s tough for Stuart because I know he’d want to be involved in the big games,” added Townsend.
The youngster has won 15 caps already for Scotland and was the youngest tourist on the successful British and Irish Lions trip to Australia this summer.
Hogg’s absence is compounded by his regular back-up for both Glasgow and more recently Scotland, Peter Murchie, being out for six months after dislocating a shoulder.
The injury occurred when Murchie, capped for the first time in South Africa this summer, was farmed out to Stirling County and playing in the RBS Premiership.
He’s set to miss up to six months meaning that it’s likely Hogg’s fellow Lion, Sean Maitland, will continue at full-back for both the national team and the Warriors.