British and Irish Lions

Regan, who played pivotal roles in the opening league wins against Bath and Newcastle, broke his thumb during the Newcastle Falcons clash and has undergone surgery.

"Mark has had it operated on and the surgery went well, so we are looking at maybe six weeks for him, aiming at the European games against Narbonne and Northampton (in late October)," said Bristol physiotherapist Paul Tompkins.

"It is a blow, and he is understandably gutted with the team going so well."

Regan, a member of England's World Cup-winning squad, is set to miss Premiership appointments with Gloucester, London Irish and Saracens, plus Powergen Cup clashes against Bath and Gloucester.

Lions skipper Sam Warburton says the lessons he and his Welsh colleagues learnt in Australia last summer will stand them in good stead for their return visit with Britain and Ireland's elite next month.

Tom Youngs has enjoyed a remarkable rise to the top of the British & Irish game but he won't be resting on his laurels ahead of his first Lions adventure.

Check out the video from the day the HSBC Cubs met The British & Irish Lions at the Vale of Glamorgan in a day they will remember for the rest of their lives.