1
Wales will be without Rhys Priestland for the majority of the Six Nations after the fly half sustained a hamstring injury.
ADVERTISEMENT
Priestland was hurt in Bath’s European Champions Cup loss to Scarlets on January 12, and will remain with his club side to under rehabilitation.
However, Wales have opted not to add to their squad with Dan Biggar, Rhys Patchell, Gareth Anscombe and Owen Williams among the contenders to play at 10.
A Wales statement read: “Following further assessments and consultation with a specialist it has been concluded that due to the severity of Rhys Priestland’s hamstring injury, he will remain at Bath Rugby for ongoing rehabilitation and will not link up with the Wales squad on Monday.
“It is envisaged that the injury will preclude him from taking an active part for the majority of the Six Nations.”
Wales also announced a historic November fixture against Scotland in 2018.
Usually, the Celtic nations only face off in the Six Nations with the November fixtures assigned for touring southern hemisphere sides.
ADVERTISEMENT
The teams will face off in the ‘Doddie Weir Cup’, to honour the former Scotland international who has motor neurone disease.
“The new fixture in November will give Gregor Townsend a chance to put the team through their paces ahead of our 2018 Autumn Test series,” Scottish Rugby’s chief executive Mark Dodson said of the November 3 contest.
“The introduction of the ‘Doddie Weir Cup’ reflects the warmth with which he is held across the rugby community.”
