SATURDAY’S international showdown at Murrayfield between Worcester Warriors centre Alex Grove and back-row team-mate Netani Talei will not be happening after the Fijian powerhouse was laid low by injury.

Sixways academy product Grove, who has been selected by Andy Robinson at outside-centre for Scotland’s opening autumn international against the south sea islanders, was set to go head-to-head with his Warriors colleague, but Talei has been struck down by a double injury blow.

The 26-year-old Fijian, who was due to represent his country against Scotland, Ireland and Romania, was forced off during Worcester’s LV Cup 32-6 win over Newcastle Falcons at Sixways on Saturday.

However, the back row is now set for five weeks on the sidelines and will remain at Sixways for treatment after injuring ligaments in his left knee. The club is also awaiting test results on Talei’s left shoulder.

Warriors director of rugby Mike Ruddock said: “It is disappointing news for Netani, particularly on a personal level as he was due to represent his country in the autumn. It’s most unfortunate on the basis that he is a proud Fijian and always wears his jersey with great pride.

“On Saturday, we saw Netani hit real top form with a series of powerful carries and off-loads in and around the contact area. He had his best game for us this season and so he will be disappointed to have missed out on the Fijian team just as he was hitting his best form.

“From our perspective, this doesn’t change things that much for us in that we were expecting to be without Netani for a number of weeks and we are hoping that Kai Horstmann will pass a fitness test in time to play against Bath on November 20.”