Wales will be without first-choice fly-half Stephen Jones for the start of the Six Nations Championship after the Llanelli player broke his thumb.
Jones will miss the opener against Italy in Rome in 10 days and very probably the Cardiff match with England a week later.
Wales coach Steve Hansen said today either former Leeds and Great Britain rugby league star Iestyn Harris or uncapped Ceri Sweeney would replace Jones.
Jones broke his thumb during Llanelli's 39-26 Welsh Premiership victory over Cardiff last night, in which fellow Wales squad members Jamie Robinson and Martyn Madden also limped off.
Injury also deprives Wales of centre Sonny Parker, fly-half Neil Jenkins - also with a broken thumb - and hookers Robin McBryde and Barry Williams.
"Stephen broke his thumb against Cardiff and he will miss the first two games," Hansen said at Wednesday's Six Nations launch in London.
"It is a big blow for us, but it gives us a chance to look at either Iestyn or Ceri Sweeney."
Hansen was due to name his team next Wednesday or Thursday, with Wales looking to extend their winning record against Italy to 10 successive Tests.
Meanwhile, France's problems continue with new that winger David Bory has an injured right calf which will rule him out of Six Nations opener against England on February 15th.
The Montferrand player is facing a three week spell off the pitch after picking up the injury in training with the French squad Monday.
Medical tests taken today detected a two centimetre muscle tear in the problem calf.
News of Bory's absence represents a second blow for French rugby on the day that South African-born prop Pieter De Villiers was dropped for the England fixture after testing positive for cocaine and ecstasy.
PA