Rugby: Waugh out for three months

Phil Waugh. Photo / Getty Images

NSW captain Phil Waugh is expected to require surgery on an injured bicep and could miss up to three months of the Super Rugby competition.

He will have an MRI scan on Monday to reveal the full extent of the problem, but an initial ultrasound suggested there was damage to his tendon.

Waugh suffered the injury when effecting a strong tackle on Queensland winger Digby Ione just metres out from his own line in the Waratahs comprehensive 30-6 defeat of the Reds.

While the skipper will at least miss this week's clash with the Crusaders, rampaging hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau is expected to recover from a shoulder injury in time to make the trip to Nelson, New Zealand.

Dean Mumm appears to be the frontrunner to take over the captaincy in Waugh's absence.

- AAP