The 33-year-old, capped 83-times and a pivotal member of the 2019 and 2023 World Cup winning sides, suffered the injury playing a Currie Cup match for Western Province last year.  

New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra thanked his support staff and well-wishers for the care after a freak on-field accident as he returned to action.

World MotoGP champion Jorge Martin will miss the first race of the season this weekend in Thailand after sustaining several fractures in a fall.

France second-row Emmanuel Meafou is a doubt for next month's Six Nations showdown with Ireland after missing training with his club Toulouse on Monday.

Antoine Dupont is already looking ahead to France's likely Six Nations decider with Ireland after his team ran in a record 11 tries in Sunday's crushing 73-24 win over Italy.