Wales have been dealt a blow after Gethin Jenkins was ruled out of the RBS 6Nations.
The 2005 and 2009 Lion will undergo a toe operation on Wednesday in a bid to end an ongoing calf problem.
The surgery will rule Jenkins out of action for 10-12 weeks, meaning he will play no part in Wales' campaign that kicks-off against England on February 4.
Jenkins, Wales' most capped front-row forward has been blighted by calf problems in recent years. He was limited to one start in last year's Six Nations and made just four appearances throughout the whole of 2010.
But the decision has been taken to operate now to safeguard the Cardiff Blues prop's involvement in the World Cup at the end of the year.
