George North will need surgery after rupturing his ACL - ending his hopes of a third Lions tour.
The Wales back hobbled off during the Ospreys' Rainbow Cup victory over Cardiff Blues on Saturday.
It was an innocuous incident as he twisted awkwardly, gathering a loose ball immediately after play had been halted for a knock-on.
And after undergoing a scan on his knee on Monday, the 29-year-old has now learned the extent of his injury - revealing the grim news on social media.
"Sport can be cruel," tweeted North. "We all know the risks when we take the field.
"Unfortunately I ruptured my ACL on Saturday and will need surgery next week. Heartbroken is an understatement."
Having made the successful switch from wing to centre during Wales' Six Nations title win this year, North would have been a firm favourite to not only tour with Warren Gatland's Lions, but start the Tests.
However, the need for surgery will end any of hope of that - with the recovery time for a ruptured ACL typically taking a high number of months.
Gatland is set to name his squad for the tour next week, with the Lions take on Japan on June 26 and their first Test against South Africa on July 24.
