Dragons suffer Pat Leach surgery blow

Leach was signed by the Dragons in 2009 after a pre-season training camp

Newport Gwent Dragons' injury crisis has deepened as Welsh centre Pat Leach has undergone surgery on a broken eye socket and cheekbone injury.

The 26-year-old was forced off in the 36th minute of Dragons' 17-13 Pro12 defeat at Connacht on Friday after an "accidental elbow" in the face.

Leach remained in Galway to have an operation on Tuesday and is expected to return from Ireland on Wednesday.

"He took a nasty bang to the face," said forwards coach Danny Wilson.

"It is a shame for Pat because he was playing some really good rugby."

Leach's injury is another blow for the below-strength Dragons who have 12 players on their injury list as well as their five Wales internationals on World Cup duty.