Dallaglio may miss entire season

Lawrence Dallaglio will be out of action for up to nine months after undergoing reconstructive surgery on damaged cruciate ligaments in a knee, an injury which forced him out of the Lions tour 10 days ago.

The plight of England No 8 is likely to spark a row over insurance and the question of compensation between his club, Wasps, and the Lions administration. Dallaglio had been struggling with the injury since the beginning of May when he hobbled out of the Zurich Championship semi-final play-off against Bath at Loftus Road.

A couple of weeks later, though, he was training with the British Isles and Ireland party without any protective or supportive strapping on the knee and appeared, at the time, not to be suffering any problems. According to reports, Nigel Melville, the Wasps director of rugby, and Gareth Rees, the assistant coach, both advised against Dallaglio going on the tour to give the injury time to clear up completely – advice which was ignored.

"The Lions coaches, medical team and insurers passed him fit to travel, but personally I would rather he had stayed at home," Melville said. "However, you can't stop a player going on a Lions tour if he is passed fit. He'll now miss the November internationals, the Six Nations and most of our season, after only one midweek game for the Lions. It's a massive blow, but these things happen in professional sport and we just have to get on with planning for the new season."

Melville admitted that Wasps are already seeking a replacement for Dallaglio and have some names in mind, but that is going to be costly operation, because they will be still be paying Dallaglio a reported £250,000 per annum – a deal which runs over the next four years, and makes him the highest paid English rugby union player – but will also have to pay his stand-in. It is likely that the club will seek financial redress from the Lions, although the club was not making any comment on that last night.

Dallaglio defended his decision to go on the tour. "I knew the physical requirements of playing Test rugby for the Lions and I know I am not up to the mark at the moment," he said.

"I feel I have justified my decision to come on the tour, even though the decision was made with a view to competing for a Test place, as opposed to just picking up a red shirt then leaving. I expect to make a full recovery between now and September and come back next season a fitter and stronger player." Presumably he now means the following season.