Newcastle lose Latu for three months of new season

Aviva Premiership rugby club Newcastle Falcons have suffered a blow as Tonga captain Nili Latu will miss the first three months of the new Aviva Premiership season after the back-row forward underwent a knee operation.

Latu, who scored a hat-trick of tries in the Falcons’ final game of last season, skippered his country in the Pacific Nations Cup in June.

Returning with a knee injury which has required surgery, director of rugby Dean Richards revealed: “Nili suffered knee ligament damage playing in Tonga’s last Pacific Nations Cup game, and was operated on yesterday (Monday). His likely return to playing is five months from now.

“Obviously it is a disappointing to blow to lose a player of Nili’s quality for that length of time, but at the same time it is an opportunity for other guys.

“We have a lot of players coming through – Harrison Orr has joined us and made a very good first impression, but with David Tameilau not yet here from America there is no denying it has left us a little bit short in the back row.”