Exeter Chiefs and Italy have been dealt a major blow with the news that star centre Michele Campagnaro will be sidelined for six months.
Campagnaro ruptured his cruciate ligaments in Exeter Chiefs' pre-season friendly match against Cardiff last Saturday.
The 24-year-old will undergo surgery once the swelling subsides and has been ruled out for a minimum of six months.
"They are going to operate as soon as possible, once the swelling goes down," Campagnaro told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"As for getting back to competition, that could be six months or more, possibly eight or nine," he said.
It is terrible timing for Rob Baxter and his defending champions as they kick off their Premiership season with a trip to Gloucester on Friday night.
Meanwhile, it is arguably an even bigger loss for the Azzurri as Campagnaro is one of their best players and will definitely miss the country's November internationals while he is a major doubt for the 2018 Six Nations tournament.
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