Lock Gross faces a long lay-off

Luke Gross was injured playing for the US Eagles

Llanelli second row Luke Gross could miss the opening two months of the season after breaking his foot playing for the US Eagles.

The 32-year-old was injured during his country's 26-9 defeat against Canada in a Rugby World Cup qualifier.

It is believed that Gross could require an operation to insert a screw into the bone to aid the healing process.

But he could still miss the first six to eight weeks of the campaign, putting him out of the majority of Llanelli's Celtic League fixtures.

It is a blow to the Scarlets, especially as former Wales under-21 international Scott Morgan has decided to return to Bristol.

Long-term future

The young lock was behind Gross, Chris Wyatt and Vernon Cooper in the pecking order last season and views a second spell in the West Country as his best option.

""It seems only five minutes ago that I was at Bristol," said Morgan.

"The Memorial Stadium is a great place to play and the fans really get behind you and generate a superb atmosphere.

''My contract at Llanelli was out at the end of the season and, although I had a new offer from them, I felt that I could develop greater at Bristol.

''I think returning to Bristol has more to offer me long-term rather than just thinking about the immediate future."