Wales suffer Faletau Six Nations blow

Wales' preparations for the Six Nations have suffered a blow with yet another injury to Taulupe Faletau.

Faletau made an impressive comeback playing as a flanker in Bath's 18-16 Heineken Champions Cup win over Wasps on Saturday, but the luckless back row has succumbed to yet another injury.

Faletau fractured his arm in October, which meant he was absent for Wales' November international series, during which Warren Gatland's side achieved a clean sweep of victories.

Now it's emerged that Faletau has broken his arm again.

The latest injury is set to rule him out for up to 8 weeks, meaning that he may not even be fit in time for Wales' final Six Nations match against Ireland on March 16th.

It's left Wales a little light of options in the backrow with Ellis Jenkins out long-term with a knee injury which he suffered against the Springboks last November.

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Scarlets backrow Aaron Shingler is out until March also with a knee injury, while clubmate James Davies is nursing a foot injury. Such was the Scarlets backrow injury crisis that they were recently forced to play Wales hooker Ken Owens at number 8.

Dan Lydiate is also set to be out of contention for the start of the competition with an elbow knock.

At the Dragons Ross Moriarty has been absent since mid-December due to concussion, but it's hoped he'll be able to return in time for Wales' first match against France at the Stade de France in Paris on February 1st.

Head coach Gatland names his Wales squad for the Six Nations on Tuesday.

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