Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones has been ruled out of the Autumn Nations Series as he requires surgery on a shoulder injury sustained in the defeat to New Zealand.
On the opening weekend of the competition, Jones won a record-breaking 149th cap for his country but went off injured in the first half of a 54-16 defeat at the Principality Stadium.
Jones appeared to hurt the same shoulder he dislocated against Japan for the British & Irish Lions, before staging a remarkable recovery to return in time to play a full part in the Test series out in South Africa over the summer, which ended in a 2-1 defeat for the tourists.
Wales confirmed that following scans, Jones and Ross Moriarty, who also was replaced before half-time with a shoulder blow, would both require surgery and were facing “a number of months out” meaning they will miss the remaining games against South Africa, Fiji and Australia.
Seven-try All Blacks beat Wales in first week of Autumn Nations Series
The news will also put their involvement in the 2022 Guinness Six Nations in doubt and comes as a major setback after coach Wayne Pivac had initially given a positive update on Jones’ condition.
After the game, Pivac said: “Ross is an AC joint. He was in quite a bit of pain,.
“He’s in pain relief at the moment. So, it doesn’t look too good.
“Al, talking to him in the changing room, he feels pretty good. He’ll get a scan as a precaution. He’s not in any discomfort. At the time, with the previous episodes, he couldn’t play on.
“But he’s feeling a lot better so that’s a plus.”
In other injury news, Taulupe Faletau has also been ruled out of the Autumn Nations Series due to an ankle injury he sustained in training with Bath.
The 30-year-old No.8 – who it was today confirmed will be leaving Bath at the end of the season to return to Wales with an as yet unnamed region – has returned to the Gallagher Premiership side after being released from the Wales squad.
Wales have called up Cardiff Rugby’s Shane Lewis-Hughes, who can deputise in the second row or as a flanker, and Ospreys’ uncapped lock Rhys Davies into their squad.
Lewis-Hughes, 23, made his debut against Scotland in 2020 during the Autumn Nations Cup and made two further appearances against Ireland and England in the same competition last year.
Davies, 22, will be hoping to win his first cap having previously been called into the summer squad.
Meanwhile, centre Willis Halaholo will rejoin the Welsh squad on Friday having spent ten days in isolation after testing positive for Covid-19.
