Six Nations: Cardiff Blues flanker Josh Navidi to miss Six Nations start
- Published
Josh Navidi has made 173 appearances for Cardiff Blues
Cardiff Blues flanker Josh Navidi is set to miss the start of Wales' Six Nations campaign with a hamstring injury.
Navidi could be absent for the first three games against Italy, Ireland and France.
The 29-year-old damaged his hamstring during the World Cup quarter-final win against France last October.
He returned to action in for his region on Boxing Day and has played a further two games for the Blues this season.
The back-rower could come back into contention against England and Scotland later in the tournament. Wales travel to Twickenham on 7 March before hosting Gregor Townsend's side seven days later.
Navidi has played 23 times for Wales since making his debut against Japan in 2013.
Wales' back-row against Italy in Saturday's Six Nations opener is Aaron Wainwright, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau.
"Josh has had an injury to a hamstring in training on Monday," said Wales coach Wayne Pivac.
"We have had a scan and there is some damage there and he will be out for a few weeks.
"Exactly how many I could not put a number on it but the medical team are doing the best they can to get him back as quickly as possible."
Pivac says scrum-half Gareth Davies, centre Owen Watkin and full-back Liam Williams are in contention to be fit for the second Six Nations match against Ireland on 8 February in Dublin.
Navidi is the second hamstring injury suffered by Wales during this camp, with Cardiff Blues wing Owen Lane also sustaining a "significant" injury last week which could rule him out for most of the season.
Pivac took his Wales squad to train at the Principality Stadium today with the Vale of Glamorgan base struggling to cope with the wet weather.
"We are talking about the ground which is very soft," said Pivac.
"It is very heavy under foot and we have had a lot of rain so the surface has been discussed.
"There is not a lot we can do about it at his stage, the weather is the weather.
"It is about getting a surface where we can do some scrummaging. We have not completed a scrum down there all week."
Pivac also confirmed the Principality Stadium roof will be closed on Saturday.
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