Rhys Webb has spoken of his devastation at missing the upcoming Six Nations through injury.
The Wales scrum-half was withdrawn from the squad on Thursday after tests revealed the seriousness of a knee injury he suffered playing for the Ospreys against Clermont Auvergne.
Webb – who missed the 2015 World Cup and has a history of injury problems that have left him well short of the 60-cap threshold to continue to be able to play for his country whilst based in France next season with Toulon – is likely to need an operation.
He said on Twitter, “I’m absolutely devastated to be out of the Six Nations with a slight knee issue.
“I could have stayed and managed my knee in camp, but I know for me personally and for the team to win the Championship, I couldn’t do that.”
The WRU have said the 29-yearold will undergo further tests to establish the best course of action, but if the Lions tourist needs surgery his season may already be over.
Webb has won only 31 caps for Wales, meaning he will not be eligible for Wales next season if he goes ahead with his move to Toulon.
He would have won five more had he not been injured just before the World Cup and two more if he had been on the Wales tour to the South Seas last summer, instead of busy in New Zealand with the Lions.
But that still leaves him well short of the 60 he would need to continue to be selected by his country if he bases himself in France, although Wales coach Warren Gatland has not given up hope that move may not happen, or even that there could be an exception agreed by the Union and the four regions.
Two weeks ago, Webb told the Telegrapgh: “There’s nothing I can do about it (the policy) now except go out there and enjoy playing even more, for Ospreys and, if selected, for Wales, trying making it all that bit more special knowing my time is coming to an end. My aim is to empty the tank in trying to do my best for whichever team I’m in. I want to finish on a high.
“Who knows what might happen but for me, it’s done, it’s over. If good comes from it, then it will be that the best players stay in Wales. I can understand that. You want to see the regional game strong.”
Uncapped Cardiff Blues scrum-half Tomos Williams was called up replace Webb ahead of the opening Six Nations clash against Scotland on February 3.
Wales confirmed on Wednesday that Dan Biggar will miss the first three matches of the tournament with a shoulder problem, while fellow fly-half Rhys Priestland is currently out due to a hamstring injury.
Full-back Liam Williams is also a major doubt for the Scotland game and could miss the entire tournament with an abdominal injury.
Wales, who last won the Six Nations in 2013, travel to Twickenham to take on England on February 10 and then meet Ireland in Dublin on February 24.