Sam Warburton has been ruled out of action for six weeks with a shoulder injury.

The Cardiff Blues flanker suffered the injury during Wales's Grand Slam-clinching win over France earlier this month.

A shoulder specialist confirmed that the 23-year-old damaged an axillary nerve during the 16-9 victory.

The news means that the Wales captain will miss the Blues' Heineken Cup quarter-final with Leinster, but should be fit to lead Wales on their tour to Australia in the summer.

"It's not going to be months and months and months like I first anticipated," Warburton said.

"It would nice to join up with the Blues sooner rather than later.

"I owe the Blues a bit to be honest because I've been away for the Six Nations campaign and now I'm going to miss a few more matches."

The Blues are currently seventh in the PRO12 table, six points off a place in the play-offs.