Leeds Carnegie have had three players ruled out for at least six weeks following operations.

Winger Richard Welding had a minor operation on his knee after aggravating a cartilage injury in Leeds' last game in the Guinness Premiership at Bristol. He will be out for up to six weeks.

Meanwhile, hooker Rob Rawlinson and second row Kearnan Myall have both had shoulder operations. Both are hoping for a return around the Christmas period.

Director of rugby Stuart Lancaster said: "All three players have been playing through the pain barrier in recent weeks and they were not going to get through the season.

"Whilst there is never a good time for them to be out of action, with EDF Energy Cup and European games coming up over the next two months hopefully having the operations now will have the least impact on our Guinness Premiership campaign in the long run."

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