PLYMOUTH Albion flanker Sean-Michael Stephen looks likely to be ruled out for several weeks after suffering damaged knee ligaments in Saturday's superb 26-12 Championship win at London Welsh.

The Canadian international, who has been in fine form for the city side this season, scored Albion's opening try of four at Old Deer Park after 17 minutes.

However, he was helped from the pitch at half-time after injuring his knee having made a tackle and was unable to come out for the second period.

Albion's chairman of rugby Graham Dawe confirmed Stephen has sprained his medial collateral ligaments – an injury which will almost certainly see him miss at least three weeks of rugby, if not more.

"Sean-Michael has sprained his MCL ligaments, so he will have a scan this week to try and ascertain just how serious the injury is," said Dawe.

"He will definitely miss the Leinster game on Saturday. We will have to wait for the scan results and a meeting with the consultant before we know just how bad the injury is."

Stephen's injury was the one black spot for Albion on Saturday in what was otherwise a perfect day.

The Brickfields club produced a superb display of rugby to not only claim their first away win of the season, but just their second away success of 2009.

Albion also recorded their fourth bonus point of the season after scoring four tries – the third time they have done so this term.

The visitors trailed 7-0 after just three minutes after conceding an early converted try.

But, despite having to battle against a strong wind for the remainder of the first half, they managed to score a try of their own against Welsh's two to go in at the interval just 12-5 behind.

With Welsh reduced to 14 men following the 36th minute sin-binning of scrum-half Nick Runciman for a professional foul, a good start to the second period was vital for Albion.

The visitors came out of the blocks all guns blazing, and two tries in the space of three minutes from Keni Fisilau and Stephen's replacement Wayne Sprangle handed Plymouth a 19-12 lead.

From there, Dawe's side took full control and a penalty try on 72 minutes, converted by Davies, saw them earn their bonus point win.

"London Welsh's two tries came off elementary errors from us, which was disappointing, but overall I thought we defended very well," said Dawe.

"We didn't make a great start but we had 70 minutes to get it right and that is what the boys did.

"Our record away from home this year hasn't been good, so we will enjoy the win.

"But it will only be a good win if we can back it up with another good performance against Leinster this weekend."

Dawe added of his side's blistering start to the second half which put them in a strong position to go on to win the game: "The first of the two tries was well worked; the second try was the icing on the cake because it came from the kick-off.

"Wayne Sprangle was always covering Sean-Michael (Stephen) so it wasn't an inspired replacement, but it was a great time for us to score two quick tries."

Albion's win at Old Deer Park was enjoyed by a strong backing of the club's supporters. Dawe was appreciative of the fans who had battled through the Twickenham traffic to make their way to the game, however he said: "To be fair to the team, they did give them something to shout about."

ALBION lock Tyler Hotson and his Canadian team-mates had a disappointing day yesterday when they lost 46-8 away to Japan.