Saracens have been rocked by news that No.8 Michael Owen is set to miss the rest of the season with knee ligament damage.
Wales international facing nine months out
Saracens have been rocked by news that No.8 Michael Owen is set to miss the rest of the season with knee ligament damage.
The 28-year-old picked up the injury during the Amlin Challenge Cup defeat against Toulon, with the Wales international being sent to see a specialist after his knee swelled up the following day.
Scans have highlighted the need for an operation to repair the damage, with Owen now facing nine months out.
"Michael felt his knee give way in the game against Toulon and woke up with swelling the following morning," said director of rugby Brendan Venter.
Important
"After seeing a specialist, scans picked up ligament damage and, had Michael continued to play on the knee, it could have caused long-term damage.
"So the decision has been taken to repair the ligament as, aged 28, Michael still has many years of rugby ahead of him.
"Michael is an important player for us and it is disappointing news.
"However, injuries do occur and it is one of the reasons why we believe in a rotation policy that sees us have a strong group available to play."
