Cardiff skipper under the knife

Cardiff Blues club captain Matthew Rees is to have an enforced spell away from rugby as he will undergo testicular surgery.

Former British and Irish Lions hooker Rees, who joined the region from Scarlets this summer, will miss Friday's league trip to Ulster.

A club statement read: "Cardiff Blues would like to take this opportunity to wish Matthew a speedy recovery and we look forward to seeing him back in action in the future.

"The region will be making no further comment and would ask that the media respect Matthew's privacy at this time."