Alun Wyn Jones has been ruled out for six weeks – dealing a huge blow to the Ospreys’ chances of making the Guinness Pro12 play-offs.
Wales coach Warren Gatland had left Jones out of his team to play Italy this Saturday with a statement issued that the second row had a foot injury.
But Gatland has since revealed that Jones has been playing with the problem for some time and that he faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines, ahead of the summer tour to New Zealand.
Luke Charteris will take Jones’ place against the Italians and Gatland said: “Alun Wyn Jones has a foot problem that we have been managing for a while and he has played a lot of games.
“He has been operating at around 80 per cent and has dug in. We’ve taken the decision to give him a rest.
“He knows himself he’s not quite where he has been in the past. He needs six weeks rest. It’s making sure we manage him and work closely with the Ospreys and look at some conditioning.
“He’s not where he was conditioning-wise because he hasn’t been able to do it. Hopefully we can ease some of the issues with the foot. He’s had it all of this campaign and a bit before.
“The injury came to a head after Saturday. He’d been getting through training but he went to the medics and said ‘I’m struggling with my foot’.
“It’s come to a head and that’s why we’ve made the call to give him some rest. It would be pretty unfair on the Ospreys if we played him and then said to them he needs to miss your game.”
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