Wales have lost flanker Catrina Nicholas (pictured) to a knee injury that rules her out of the remainder of the Women’s World Cup.
The back rower ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee during the second half in Tuesday’s 15-10 defeat to South Africa at the Surrey Sports Park.
An MRI scan confirmed that surgery will be required on the 44-times capped Nicholas who now faces up to nine months on the sidelines in rehabilitation.
"It’s a bitter blow to lose someone of Cat’s experience," said Wales head coach Jason Lewis. "She is an influential member of the side and a key component of our pack. She’s been playing really well so it’s obviously a big blow lose such a key player."
Twenty-year-old UWIC and Scarlets No8 Vici Owens has been added to the squad as a replacement for Nicholas.
It's another blow to Wales who last week saw prop Jenny Davies recieve a three match ban for stamping in the first game against Australia.
Wales face New Zealand on Saturday after two losses in their first two games.
