Wales back-row Taulupe Faletau is expected to miss all of the Six Nations after Bath confirmed he will require another operation on his right arm.
Faletau, 28, broke his forearm in Bath's clash with the Exeter Chiefs in October and suffered a recurrence of the injury upon returning to action in January.
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He initially was thought to have a chance of playing in Wales' final Six Nations match March 16 against Ireland, but further surgery means he is unlikely to play any part.
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"We're gutted for Taulupe, but this is the best course of action for him moving forwards as a player," Bath director of rugby Todd Blackadder said.
Injury update on @taulupe Faletau https://t.co/0eguy2uKAf pic.twitter.com/ycjpwleO8T
— Bath Rugby (@bathrugby) February 12, 2019
"We will know more in terms of timeframes following the surgery, but we're looking forward to welcoming him back into the squad."
There was some good news for Wales on Tuesday, though. Leigh Halfpenny (concussion) and Rhys Patchell (hamstring) are expected to be in contention when Wales hosts England on Feb. 23 at the Principality Stadium after this week's rest weekend.