Connacht have been dealt a blow after a MRI scan revealed Bundee Aki’s ankle injury requires surgery that will keep the centre out for between eight and 10 weeks.

The New Zealander suffered the injury in the closing stages of the Guinness Pro12 defeat to Edinburgh at the Sportsground last weekend, and after a scan and consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon it was confirmed he had sustained a ruptured syndesmosis, or high ankle sprain, requiring an operation. The 24-year-old will undergo surgery next week.

Connacht were already resigned to the fact that the talented centre would miss Connacht’s final two Challenge Cup games against Exeter and La Rochelle ahead of a possible return for the resumption of the Pro 12 in the middle of February.

That timeline has now been pushed back, with Aki unlikely to return ahead of the 18th round of fixtures in the final week of March.