Injury scare for Wales as Warren Gatland’s star man in doubt for Six Nations

Warren Gatland could be without the services of Wales flanker and captain Jac Morgan for the upcoming Six Nations.

The 23-year-old missed Ospreys’ Challenge Cup loss to Montpellier last weekend and looks set to undergo surgery.

“A blow for Jac”

Gatland is set to name his squad for the Six Nations in mid-January, and Morgan could not be omitted due to the knee injury he has sustained.

Ospreys boss Toby Booth provided an update on the flanker, who co-captained Wales alongside Dewi Lake during the World Cup, and while he did not provide a timeframe for Morgan’s return, he admitted that it is likely to sideline him long-term.

“He is probably going to have an operation to repair an injury,” Booth explained. “We will know a little bit more about that in the next couple of days.

“If there is a repair involved, it will probably be more long-term, but those things can be difficult to predict until we know the nature of it.

“I have not got the details of that yet, it’s hot off the press in the last 24 hours. We know a little bit more what we are dealing with but until people plot the course of action, which our medical team is doing now, we won’t know the exact answer.

“We will know more about it after I have spoken to the medical team who will be speaking to the surgeon to see if that (surgery) is going to happen.

“It is a blow for Jac after the year he has had, but it provides the opportunity for others. We have some good players and they will have the chance to show what they can do.”

Morgan made his Test debut for Wales in 2022 under former head coach Wayne Pivac. He has since become a regular starter for the side since Gatland returned as head coach.

Faletau on the road to recovery

Meanwhile, Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt said that number eight Taulupe Faletau is “healing well” after he broke his arm during the World Cup pool stage match against Georgia.

Sherratt was unable to provide a return date for the experienced back rower but added that he thinks his recovery is “going as planned.”

Gatland is set to be without the services of Taine Plumtree, who has a shoulder injury that will rule him out of the Six Nations, while Christ Tshiunza has broken his foot.

Wales kick off their 2024 Six Nations campaign in Cardiff against Scotland before back-to-back away Tests against England and Ireland, respectively.

Gatland’s charges complete the tournament at home with clashes against France and Italy.

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