Head Coach Richard Hill has revealed star centre Dale Rasmussen will miss the final Aviva Premiership game of the season against Northampton Saints on Saturday (kick-off 2pm).
Rasmussen was scheduled to make his 200th club appearance at Franklin’s Gardens, but will cruelly be denied hitting the milestone after suffering concussion against London Irish.
Hill also revealed a number of players would also sit out the game after going under the knife early now top-flight status is assured.
“The selection this week will reflect those that are the freshest, both physically and mentally,” said Hill.
“Dale is out and other people are Chris Pennell, who has had a plate removed from where he broke and dislocated his ankle, Blair Cowan, who has had a clean out operation on his shoulder, and Aleki Lutui, who has had an operation on his finger.
“Dale will have been desperate to play, but he is just not right and it has shook him up quite a bit. He has been remarkably resilient and been first choice centre with Alex Grove right through the season. It is a cruel irony that he has been injured ahead of the final game.
“The way he has kept himself in shape, despite the physicality of his game, has been superb.
“It will be sad to see him go, but I have got to replace him with younger people who will be here for the long-term. It’s harsh but it is one of those decisions you have to make.
“Phil Larder will now decide upon the new defensive captain as Dale leaves and there will be big competition for places over the summer. We have some big names coming in who will be vying for that role.
“Alex Grove, you would say at the moment, is a natural successor. He understands the system inside out and has been a terrific defender for us, one of the best defenders in the 13 channel in the Aviva Premiership.”
Hill also revealed that Josh Drauniniu was set to feature but full back Errie Claassens had also been ruled out.
“We will look at Josh and we had hoped to put Errie in, but he had a reoccurance of a knee issue this week,” he added.
“That leaves us with a little bit of a problem at full back, with Chris (Pennell) in plaster, so it looks like Tom Arscott will come in at full back. The exciting back three could be Josh, Tom and Miles Benjamin, plenty of attacking threats.”