Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau has been ruled out of the remainder of the Guinness Six Nations.
The 28-year-old needs to undergo surgery on the broken arm he suffered against Wasps in the Champions Cup last month.
Injury update on @taulupe Faletau ➡️ https://t.co/0eguy2uKAf pic.twitter.com/ycjpwleO8T — Bath Rugby (@bathrugby) February 12, 2019
It was hoped Faletau would return for the final two rounds against Scotland and Ireland but Wales boss Warren Gatland must now complete the tournament without the Bath number eight.
"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.
"We will know more in terms of time frames following the surgery, but we're looking forward to welcoming him back into the squad."
Faletau was due to be in Gatland's original 40-man squad for the Six Nations before a second broken arm of the season ruled him out.
The Wasps match was Faletau's first appearance following a 13-week absence after his first arm fracture, which also ruled him out of Wales' four autumn Tests.
ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport Staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '31c857f1-cf59-4ca6-bb9c-ede44534bbfa');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:uk');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:rugby-union');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Taulupe Faletau ruled out of Six Nations with broken arm'});
