Welsh lock cut down

Wales have suffered another injury scare in the build-up to the Six Nations after Cardiff Blues revealed on Saturday that lock Bradley Davies has sustained an ankle injury.

"Cardiff Blues can confirm that the Blues and Wales second row forward has suffered ankle ligament damage in training," read a statement from the Welsh club.

"Bradley will have an operation early next week and an accurate timescale on his recovery will be assessed after the operation."

Davies is having an eventful weekend as his girlfriend, Laura, gave birth to their first daughter on Saturday morning.

The injury to Davies further complicates life for interim Wales head coach Rob Howley, as the Cardiff man was his last fully fit lock.

Centre Ashley Beck sustained an ankle injury problem on Friday, while flyhalf Rhys Priestland (Achilles), lock Luke Charteris (knee) and prop Aaron Jarvis (knee) have all been ruled out of the tournament.

Lock Alun-Wyn Jones recently underwent shoulder surgery and flank Dan Lydiate is still waiting to make his comeback from a serious ankle problem.

Davies was involved in a controversial incident during Wales' end-of-year internationals, with New Zealand hooker Andrew Hore knocking him unconscious in the first minute of their encounter at the Millennium Stadium.

Davies was taken to hospital with concussion, while Hore was subsequently handed a five-game ban for striking an opponent.

Wales begin the defence of their Six Nations title at home to Ireland on February 2.