London Wasps have been dealt another backrow injury blow with the news that captain and number 8 John Hart is to be side-lined for 3-4 months having torn ligaments in his knee in the recent game against Bayonne. Joining Hart on the sidelines for a prolonged spell is lock Ross Filipo who required shoulder surgery following his recent injury.

Filipo is likely to be out for the remainder of the season.

There is at least some good news for the Club on the injury front though with influential flanker Jonathan Poff and young prop Simon McIntyre nearing a return in the coming weeks following knee and toe injuries respectively.

James Cannon, Joe Launchbury and Billy Vunipola all remain on course to return to play in February while Tom Rees is making good progress on his rehab from a torn ACL.

Rees remains hopeful of playing again before the end of the season.

London Wasps have been hit hard by injury this season with Joe Worsley, Dan Ward-Smith and Steve Thompson all forced to retire, while Chris Bell also suffered a season ending achilles injury.