Tigers lose Reffell for eight weeks with throat injury
Tommy Reffell has been with Leicester Tigers since he was a teenager playing at academy level
- Published
Leicester Tigers flanker Tommy Reffell has been ruled out for about eight weeks after suffering a throat injury.
Reffell, who led Tigers to Prem Cup final success against Exeter Chiefs, was hurt when hit in the neck by "a stray boot" in an unspecified incident.
The injury could see the 26-year-old Wales international miss at least seven matches, not including further knockout ties in the European Champions Cup if they get past Bordeaux Begles in the round of 16 in April.
"We're gutted to lose Tommy to a very unfortunate injury where a stray boot has hit his throat," Tigers head coach Geoff Parling told the club website., external
"He has been a real pest to the opposition, and we'll use this time to firstly get him fit and healthy and secondly get him ready and firing for the end of the season."
Reffell's injury means loanee Hamish Watson will come in for his Tigers debut against Bristol Bears on Sunday.
Watson rejoined Tigers, a club he played for at academy level, on a short-term deal from Scottish side Edinburgh earlier in March.
"This also presents an opportunity for Hamish to start and show his quality in a Tigers shirt in a full circle moment after leaving our academy 16 years ago," Parling said.