WORCESTER Rugby's talented young centre Andrew Higgins will miss half the season following confirmation of a wrist injury.

The England Under 21 centre, who was called into the senior England training squad by Clive Woodward last season, will undergo an operation next week.

"This is a real blow to Andrew and to Worcester as he is one of our most talented players," said Worcester Rugby Chief Executive Geoff Cooke.

"We don't expect him to be back in action until after Christmas," he said.

Higgins, aged 19, was called into the England Under 21 squad last season after outstanding performances for England Under 19 and Worcester.

He toured New Zealand with the squad in the summer and scored for Wor-cester in last Saturday's 40-13 demolition of National League Division one title rivals Leeds.