Gloucester head coach George Skivington has confirmed that Louis Rees-Zammit is a major doubt for Wales' opening match of the Six Nations at least.
The flying wing was injured in Gloucester's defeat at Leicester last week and faces a huge task to be ready to play against Ireland in Cardiff on February 4.
Skivington said after Gloucester's 8-6 defeat of London Irish in the Gallagher Premiership on New Year's Eve: "He is unlikely to need an operation but his ankle is in a boot with the prognosis not forthcoming because we haven't been able to receive the scans this week because of hospital delays.
"He will certainly be out for a spell, it could range from two weeks to six months, and on that basis he could be joining the Six Nations late."
Wales fans will certainly be hoping Rees-Zammit will only be out for a shorter spell, because Skivington's warning it could even be for six months would obviously rule him out of the rest of the season.
Wales boss Warren Gatland will be keen to get Rees-Zammit fit and firing as quickly as possible because the try ace will form a massive part of his planning for the Six Nations and the World Cup in 2023.
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