Taulupe Faletau has been ruled out of Wales’ first three games of the Six Nations.
The 35-year-old suffered a calf injury while playing for Cardiff against Ospreys on 1 January.
The British and Irish Lions’ number eight had not long returned from a knee injury which sidelined him for Wales’ 2025 autumn internationals.
Cardiff coach Corniel van Zyl said: “It’s not clear on his return, but we’re definitely looking at the middle of the Six Nations, into our Leinster game [on 27 February].”
That would rule Faletau out of Wales’ opener against England on 7 February, along with the visits to Cardiff of France on 15 February and Scotland on 21 February.
“That is the target, we will see how it goes,” added van Zyl.
