Wallabies loose forward Scott Higginbotham is to undergo a full shoulder reconstruction ruling him out of the looming series against the touring Lions and the rest of the Super Rugby season.

Higginbotham dislocated his right shoulder making a tackle while captaining the Melbourne Rebels in Saturday night’s 20-33 loss to the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium.

Scans taken after the injury was allowed to settle have revealed extensive ligament damage, making a full reconstruction necessary.

Higginbotham is not expected to be fit to return to play until the start of next year’s Super Rugby competition.

It’s a big blow for the Wallabies as Higginbotham had been one of the form loose forwards of the Super Rugby competition and was considered a certain starter against the Lions.