Former Welsh international Dafydd Jones has claimed that the loss of lock Luke Chateris for the Six Nations is a "big blow" to their hopes in the competition.
The 29-year-old, who is also expected to miss next year's Lions tour, ruptured medial knee ligaments during Perpignan's Top 14 clash with Montpellier.
"We have got options but it isn't ideal we've lost three of our first choices and that's a big blow," Jones told the BBC.
"Luke Charteris is a big man. He's got so much to offer and is going to be a big loss. Obviously we've got Bradley Davies, we've got Ryan Jones also and young Lou Reed as well.
"They're going to be busy now over the Christmas period looking at who is in form and I wouldn't be surprised if someone had another chance."
Charteris also missed most of last season's Six Nations with a wrist injury.