Josh Macleod: Scarlets captain to miss rest of season due to knee injury

Josh Macleod has played two internationals for Wales

Scarlets captain Josh Macleod will miss the rest of the 2023-24 season after suffering a knee injury in January.

Wales flanker Macleod, 27, was forced off during the Challenge Cup defeat to Clermont after only just returning to action.

"It is brutal news for him and us," said Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel.

"He is a fantastic leader for us, he has captained the team and culturally he is very important for us off the field."

Macleod missed the 2023 World Cup with a shoulder injury and his start to this season was delayed by an ankle injury that ruled him out for two months.

He returned to action in December and featured in matches against Ospreys and Dragons before his latest setback against Clermont.

"What I know about him is he has had plenty of setbacks in the past and will come back stronger and his influence around the group remains huge," said Peel.

Tonga lock Sam Lousi, Wales full-back Johnny McNicholl and fly-half Dan Jones are in line to return from injury for the United Rugby Championship (URC) home match against Munster on Friday night.

Prop Kemsley Mathias and centre Joe Roberts have been released for the weekend fixture by Wales but Gareth Davies, Kieran Hardy, Sam Costelow, Ioan Lloyd and Ryan Elias have been retained by head coach Warren Gatland.