Tuesday 2 January 2018 15:50, UK
Dan Lydiate is a doubt for the start of Wales' Six Nations campaign after injuring a bicep playing for the Ospreys on New Year's Eve.
Lydiate was injured in his side's 22-9 Guinness PRO14 win over the Dragons and now faces a scan to find out the extent of the injury.
Ospreys defence coach Brad Davis does not expect Lydiate to be available for the European Champions Cup pool games against Saracens and Clermont later this month and conceded the 30-year-old could be a long-term absentee.
"I know players before who have had bicep tears and have had operations and been out for 12 to 16 weeks, possibly longer," Davis said.
"It really depends on the extent of the injury. The best-case scenario is six to eight weeks. The worst case is they have to operate.
"We'll know a lot more about that once he has a scan and the medics can plan the way forward.
"It's absolutely gutting for Dan. Since he's come back into the team he's been a rock in the back row. He gives you that physicality that you need, especially without the ball.
"He's definitely going to be a loss for us. It's tough for him as a player and it's tough for us as a team. It's not looking great."
Wales are already without Sam Warburton for the entire Six Nations after knee surgery, while No 8 Taulupe Faletau could miss the start of the campaign with a knee ligament injury.
Faletau's deputy Ross Moriarty has also been absent with a back injury for most of the season and winger Hallam Amos was injured in the Dragons' Boxing Day loss to the Cardiff Blues.
