Warren Gatland was dealt a double injury blow during Wales’ 34-10 defeat to Ireland, with Alun Wyn Jones and Tomas Francis set to miss their trip to Scotland next weekend.
Lock Jones, the world’s most-capped rugby union player, was replaced by young second row Dafydd Jenkins after an hour at Principality Stadium after failing a head injury assessment.
The 37-year-old is ruled out of the match at BT Murrayfield on Saturday in light of World Rugby concussion regulations.
But prop Francis, who made way for Dillon Lewis at half-time, will have a scan on Monday to ascertain the extent of his calf injury.
Gatland preferred to take the news positively, with Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza and Rhys Davies his alternatives at second row, while Leon Brown provides cover at tighthead.
“I think we’ve always said we wanted to look at some players in the squad,” said Gatland.
“There was an opportunity for those players to go out there and perform this afternoon.
“We will look at what players might potentially get an opportunity next week.”
Exeter Chiefs’ 20-year-old forward Jenkins made his debut for Wales in the Autumn Nations Series, and could well be in line for his first start at senior international level.
Club teammate Tshiunza, meanwhile, was Gatland’s pick for breakthrough player of 2023 but was left out of the matchday 23 for the opening round of the Guinness Six Nations.
