Wales' autumn Test plans have been dealt a huge blow with the loss of their British and Irish Lions scrum-half Mike Phillips through injury.
Phillips, a star performer during the Lions' gripping Test series against world champions South Africa this summer, faces at least 12 weeks out because of ligament damage.
He limped off before half-time in the Ospreys' 25-24 Heineken Cup victory over French side Clermont Auvergne on Sunday, and is set to undergo further tests this week.
Wales coach Warren Gatland is already without Phillips' fellow Lions Lee Byrne (foot) and Adam Jones (shoulder) for the autumn Tests that start against New Zealand on November 7.
Ospreys physiotherapist Chris Towers said: "Mike had a scan on Monday which was then reviewed with the specialist, who confirmed ligament damage to the distal tib/fib joint.
"Mike will now be subjected to further specialist tests and investigations towards the end of the week, once the pain and swelling has subsided sufficiently to allow it.
"This will put us in a better position to confirm the best course of treatment going forward.
"But it is fair to say that Mike has suffered considerable ligament damage, and the best-case scenario would probably see him sidelined in the region of 10/12 weeks."
And in a further blow for the Ospreys, Phillips' scrum-half colleague Jamie Nutbrown, who replaced him in the Clermont match, has a knee injury that means he is unlikely to play again this year.
Comment 1 - 2 of 2
i think its a good thing that the injuries are happening now and not later on in the season, it would be good for wales to go into the autumn tests with their strongest side, but injuries could also occur in those test matches as well, which would or could damage their chances in the six nations next year. to play peel instead of cooper would be a good call but that would be gatlands choice at the end of the day
should be interesting this wknd at the cardiff city stadium, im thinking maybe they'll play shame williams at no.9. as for the welsh side i recon dwayne peel should play(i rate him above philips anyway) just hope gatland doesn't play cooper he's lost all his form since moving to the blues so we could see warren fury in the national colours
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