Ken Owens: Wales hooker faces 2021 Six Nations fitness battle
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Scarlets skipper Ken Owens has played 77 internationals for Wales and two Tests for the British and Irish Lions
Wales hooker Ken Owens faces a battle to be fit for the start of the 2021 Six Nations after having shoulder surgery.
The 33-year-old is expected to be out for between three and four months after suffering the injury against Glasgow.
Uncapped flanker Josh Macleod, 23, is also expected to be absent for two months because of a hamstring problem suffered in the same game.
Wales are due to host Ireland in the 2021 Six Nations opening match on 7 February.
British and Irish Lion Owens came on as a second-half replacement in the 20-7 Pro14 defeat at Scotstoun. The Scarlets skipper left the field himself after a heavy challenge while taking a quick penalty in the final few minutes.
"He took a big knock in the Glasgow game and had surgery on Monday so he's going to be out for a medium term amount of time and it'll all be reactive to how he feels," said Scarlets head coach Glenn Delaney.
"We'll get him into rehab as soon as we can but it's just a by-product of rugby. It's a real shame for Ken because he's in great form, playing well for us and we'll miss him on the field but his presence around the field will be as vital as ever.
"He's come out of lockdown in great shape both physically and mentally and that's shown through performances he's put on the field. He's philosophical about his injury. We'll do our absolute best to get him back to those levels when he comes out of this."
On being available for the Six Nations, Delaney added: "I couldn't tell you, it depends on how he heals. These things we try and accelerate when we can but we won't take any risks so hopefully there's no real genuine impact to the second half of the year."
Macleod, who had been one of seven uncapped players named by Wales coach Wayne Pivac in his initial 38-man party, is aiming for a December return.
The injured pair were released from the Wales squad after being ruled out of the 2020 international campaign.
Dragons hooker Elliot Dee and Scarlets flanker James Davies have been called up to the squad as replacements. Dee joins Ryan Elias and uncapped Sam Parry as Pivac's hooker options.
Wales have a friendly away to France on 24 October, followed by the rearranged final 2020 Six Nations match against Scotland on 31 October at Parc y Scarlets.
Four more games follow in the new Autumn Nations Cup. Pivac's side will play Ireland, Georgia and England in pool matches before a final game on 5 December.
Scarlets will have four Champions Cup matches in December and January, while the Pro14 Welsh derbies are scheduled around Christmas and new year.
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