NEWCASTLE FALCONS will be without Tonga captain Nili Latu for the first three months of the new Aviva Premiership season after the back-row forward underwent a knee operation.

Latu, who scored a hat-trick of tries in the Falcons’ final game of last season, skippered his country in the Pacific Nations Cup in June.

He returned with a knee injury that required surgery, and director of rugby Dean Richards said: “Nili suffered knee ligament damage playing in Tonga’s last Pacific Nations Cup game, and was operated on (on Monday). His likely return to playing is five months from now.

“Obviously it is a disappointing blow to lose a player of Nili’s quality for that length of time, but at the same time it is an opportunity for other guys.

“We have a lot of players coming through - Harrison Orr has joined us and made a very good first impression - but with David Tameilau not yet here from America there is no denying it has left us a little bit short in the back row.”

Meanwhile, Falcons have announced that their final pre-season friendly will see them travel to Murrayfield to take on Pro 12 side Edinburgh on Friday, August 26.