Wales prop John Yapp has been ruled out for the rest of the season after rupturing a cruciate knee ligament.
The 23-year-old loosehead picked up the injury in Cardiff Blues’ 29-10 defeat of Llanelli Scarlets at the Arms Park on New Year’s Day.
Yapp figured in all five games of the victorious 2005 Grand Slam campaign, but has since been on the fringes of the Wales team.
His last appearance for his country was in the 27-25 defeat to Argentina in June.