WALES will be without skipper Gareth Thomas, ex-captain Colin Charvis, Sonny Parker and Dafydd Jones for their vital Six Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday week.

Thomas has had an operation on the thumb he broke in four places at the Stade de France and is not only ruled out of Wales' final two championship matches but is even pushing it to be fit for the British Lions tour to New Zealand which starts in June.

The Wales management have now accepted that Charvis will play no role at all in the Six Nations after damaging ankle ligaments playing for Newcastle against Newport Gwent Dragons in their Heineken Cup tie at Kingston Park on January 16.

Parker also hasn't featured in the Six Nations because of a neck injury which is continuing to give him problems while Jones, who played against England, is out with a groin strain.

But better news from the Wales camp is the fitness of prop Duncan Jones and back row forward Ryan Jones, while Dragons pair Hal Luscombe and Luke Charteris are resuming training, though hooker Robin McBryde is a doubt with a knee injury.

"Hal's rehab on his hamstring strain is progressing well, he ran for the first time on Monday and is responding well to the fitness programme we have devised for him," said Wales physiotherapist Mark Davies.

"Most of his training is currently operating on an individual basis, but he should be able to take a fuller part in squad training this week.

"Robin sustained ligament damage to his knee and is currently undergoing treatment. His progress will be monitored daily, but there is an element of doubt whether he will be fit to travel to Scotland.

"Gareth had has surgery on his thumb and has fractured it in four places. The general prognosis is he will be unavailable for six to eight weeks.

"Colin is continuing the rehab programme on his injured foot and has been in camp for part of this week.

"He will not figure in the Scotland game and is now thought unlikely to be ready for the final game of the championship against Ireland at the Millennium Stadium.

"Sonny is making slow progress with his neck injury, although the progress is definitely there. He has a chance of being involved next week, but at this stage it's a slim one."

The Scotland-Wales game will be refereed by controversial South African official Jonathan Kaplan, who caused fury in the England camp with his handling of their game against Ireland in Dublin on Sunday.

England are protesting to the International Board, enraged at his failure to allow England two tries during the match.

l Gavin Henson has signed a new four-year contract with Neath-Swansea Ospreys, dispelling fears he intended leaving Wales to play in France or England.

"There is no reason for me to leave Wales now, I'm happy here and believe the Ospreys are going places," he said.

Ospreys team manager Derwyn Jones expressed their delight. "We are moving into a new stadium next season, Gavin is an essential part of our future and we are aiming to win the Heineken Cup in the future," he said.

WRU general manager Steve Lewis is also pleased. "It's excellent news for the Ospreys and also Welsh rugby the region have secured Gavin Henson's services for the next four years," he said.

"We have already seen some of Gavin's potential, both for the Ospreys and for Wales, but I'm sure there's a lot more to come, and stability in the player's career is key to the development of that talent.

"This sends out a strong message to all our current and upcoming internationals that the conditions are now in place for Wales to develop and maintain top class rugby players."