Wales five-eighth Dan Biggar will miss his team’s first three Six Nations matches due to a shoulder injury, the BBC reports.
Rhys Priestland is also ruled out of the majority of the tournament with a hamstring problem, leaving coach Warren Gatland without his two first-choice playmakers.
Biggar is likely to miss the games against Scotland, England and Ireland, with Rhys Patchell, Owen Williams or Gareth Anscombe expected to wear the No.10 shirt.
Experienced Wales back-rowers Sam Warburton, Taulupe Faletau and Dan Lydiate – as well as centre Jonathan Davies – are also injured.
Wales start their Six Nations campaign against Scotland in Cardiff on February 3 before meeting defending champions England at Twickenham.
Taylorman
Guest
So why do you do it then?
FunBus
Roar Rookie
Geez, T-Man. Unhealthy obsessions can become really boring.
Taylorman
Guest
Perhaps they could check the lineage of our two and three Cruden and Sopoaga, or Carter? they’re only a train ride away.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Is indeed. They have a few casualties of their own, but not as notable .....yet.
Cuw
Guest
quite a few are expected to be back at some stage of 6N. Biggar story in Ireland is non-selection of Scarlets lock Tadhg Beirne ,especially as he was among the 15 named for H-cup player award. Week 1 3 February 2018 14:15 GMT (UTC+0) Wales v Scotland Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France) 17:45 CET (UTC+1) France v Ireland Stade de France, Saint-Denis Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) 4 February 2018 16:00 CET (UTC+1) Italy v England Stadio Olimpico, Rome Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France) Week 2 10 February 2018 14:15 GMT (UTC+0) Ireland v Italy Aviva Stadium, Dublin Referee: Romain Poite (France) 16:45 GMT (UTC+0) England v Wales Twickenham Stadium, London Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France) 11 February 2018 15:00 GMT (UTC+0) Scotland v France Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Referee: John Lacey (Ireland) Week 3 23 February 2018 21:00 CET (UTC+1) France v Italy Stade Vélodrome, Marseille Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) 24 February 2018 14:15 GMT (UTC+0) Ireland v Wales Aviva Stadium, Dublin Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand) 16:45 GMT (UTC+0) Scotland v England Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) Week 4 10 March 2018 14:15 GMT (UTC+0) Ireland v Scotland Aviva Stadium, Dublin Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) 17:45 CET (UTC+1) France v England Stade de France, Saint-Denis Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) 11 March 2018 15:00 GMT (UTC+0) Wales v Italy Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France) Week 5 17 March 2018 13:30 CET (UTC+1) Italy v Scotland Stadio Olimpico, Rome Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France) 14:45 GMT (UTC+0) England v Ireland Twickenham Stadium, London Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia) 17:00 GMT (UTC+0) Wales v France Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Referee: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand)
Cuw
Guest
Biggar the shuffle .... :P "Biggar blow for Wales - Planet Rugby
Highlander
Guest
Looking quite good for Ireland isn't it
Taylorman
Guest
Tis a shame...Such an entertaining goal kicker too.?
Cynical Play
Guest
Biggars belief really !! The Biggar they are the harder they fall !! My button in Biggar than your button !! (tweeted) Biggar buggered !! ... how could the Roar Editors such golden headline opportunities
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Can’t remember a more injury hit start to a 6N. Scotland have lost two entire front rows, England have at least 15 squad picks missing and now Wales can add Liam Williams to their list - potentially more damaging than losing Biggar. Only silver lining for Wales is the opportunity for Gatland to pick someone like Patchell at 10, who’s been an integral part of the Scarlet’s excellent season. It might bring a little more originality to Welsh attack play - unless Howley manages to stuff him up too.
Cuw
Guest
is Rhys Priestland the 2nd best? am not sure the way i recall he came into the squad after very good form for BATH this season. Owen Williams played 12 in the new two-playmaker thingy