By David Parsons

Dragons lock Ben Carter is facing a race against time to be fit for consideration for Warren Gatland’s Guinness Six Nations squad in the New Year after being ruled out for up to four months with a severe hamstring tear.

The 22-year-old picked up the injury in his side’s first win of the season last weekend, the 20-5 home triumph over Ospreys, and is due to see a specialist in London next week.

Although he missed out on the World Cup, Carter started in Wales’ win over the Barbarians earlier this month and was hoping to be in the running for selection for the Six Nations opener against Scotland at Principality Stadium on 3 February.

Huge blow for the Dragons after a "severe" hamstring injury to Ben Carter.

Had already tried to boost second row last summer with South African Deon Slabbert but now down to 2 specialists (Davies & Screech) & trio of 6/locks (Nott, Lonsdale, Woodman).https://t.co/d7jBTxyhJt

— Chris Kirwan (@c_kirwan) November 23, 2023

He joins another Wales lock, Christ Tshiunza, on the sidelines. He fractured his foot following his return from World Cup duty with Exeter Chiefs against Sale Sharks and is out until the New Year.

“It’s a severe hamstring tear and we are probably looking at three or four months,” explained Dragons head coach Dai Flanagan about Carter’s injury.

“He was jackaling and it’s a horrible mechanism for a tall man like Ben over the ball. The stretch of his hamstring was not nice to watch.

“He is meeting a specialist in London to see exactly what we need to do but it is a long-term injury. It’s a shame for Ben, he has got the work rate of two men, and it’s important that whoever replaces him brings the same work rate.

“E very team needs a Ben Carter, that second row who just keeps working and working so that other people can flourish. This is now an opportunity for Ben to have a rest, recover, and learn more about the game.”

Injury blow for Dragons with Elliot Dee out of South Africa double-header.

▪️No Dee or Ben Carter after injuries v Os.
▪️Still no Leon Brown.
▪️No Lydiate, Dixon, Bertranou.
▪️Chance for young prop Kelleher-Griffiths, who is the third LHP in the squad.https://t.co/fY2Bbd0BIm

— Argus on the Dragons (@argusondragons) November 21, 2023

Dragons are on safari in South Africa, taking in games against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday and then the Lions in Johannesburg next week. They were already without another Wales forwards, Taine Basham, who is serving a four match ban for a red card received against Leinster.

Flanagan hopes to have back row man Harri Keddie back in the mix in Durban as the Dragons seek to build on their morale boosting win over the Ospreys. He also hopes to get full back Jordan Williams back in action over the two games.

All SEVEN Dragons (I'm not having Will Rowlands) feature for Wales against the Boks.

Massive chance for Ben Carter at lock.

Basham needs a stunner off bench to even be in mix. After HIA he wouldn't have even been an option under Flanagan at Dragons.https://t.co/WSx3rbkXCP

— Chris Kirwan (@c_kirwan) August 16, 2023