Australia prop Greg Holmes is in danger of missing this year's World Cup after injuring his shoulder playing for Queensland.
Holmes has been ruled out of the rest of the Super 14 competition after being told he needs an operation and faces a fight to be fit for the World Cup, which starts in France in September.
His Queensland team-mate Clinton Schifcofske, who has made an impressive start to his rugby union career after switching codes from rugby league, is also facing a stint on the sidelines after suffering a suspected broken hand.
Holmes is the third senior Australian player to require surgery in the lead-up to the World Cup.
Full-back Chris Latham underwent a full knee reconstruction after getting hurt in pre-season training and openside flanker Phil Waugh needed ankle surgery.
A host of other top players, including Stephen Larkham, Stirling Mortlock and Clyde Rathbone, are also recovering from less serious injuries as the casualty toll starts to reach alarming proportions.
World Cup favourites New Zealand banned their top players from competing in the first half of the Super 14 to limit their chances of sustaining serious injury.
