Wales prop Aaron Jarvis will not play again this season after suffering a knee ligament injury against New Zealand.

The Ospreys tighthead was taken off on a stretcher in the third minute of the 33-10 loss to the All Blacks in last weekend.

Cardiff Blues prop Scott Andrews, who came on for Jarvis against the All Blacks, is expected to win his fourth Test cap when Wales play Australia on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) at Millennium Stadium.

His Welsh club Ospreys confirmed the news on Wednesday.

Club physio Chris Towers said surgery was now being discussed.

“We are currently in discussions with specialists to establish the best surgical option and timing of the surgery to ensure the best outcome,” Towers said.

The 26-year-old Jarvis is the third Ospreys tight-head prop to suffer serious injury in the space of a month, with Adam Jones (knee) and Joe Rees (neck) also out and unavailable for the European Cup double-header with Toulouse.

The spate of injuries showed that the structure of the season needed to be changed, according to Andrew Hore, the Ospreys chief operations officer.

“The current season structure sees games in the top European competition go straight into a month of Test rugby, and then back into Europe and the Welsh derbies, for a crucial month long period in December and January.

“Looking at the players we have lost through injury in recent weeks it’s clear that the structure isn’t working, for the national body nor the regional partners, and it needs to be looked at globally.”

Hore added: “If ever there was a time which perfectly highlights the need for a structured, global season which protects our biggest assets, the players, and increases the value of domestic rugby by ensuring showpiece matches are played with the strongest squad available then this is it.”