NEWPORT Gwent Dragons back row forward Rhys Oakley has broken a bone in his hand and is likely to be out of action for six weeks.

He suffered the injury playing for the Dragons in last Friday's Heineken Cup game against Ulster at Ravenhill.

He returned home with his arm in a sling and an X-ray examination revealed the extent of the injury.

Oakley played for Wales against Ireland at Lansdowne Road last August, but failed to make the World Cup squad and has struggled to force his way into the Dragons team after joining them from Bristol.

The Dragons' back row, the strongest part of the side, is going to be tested to the full because Scotland international Ross Beattie is also ruled out of Friday's Celtic League match against Leinster at Rodney Parade.

He injured a thigh against Ulster and aggravated it in training this week.

A third player who can't be considered is Michael Owen whose call-up for Wales' Six Nations squad rules him out.

So all those sceptics who have said the Dragons didn't need another back row forward when former South Africa captain Bobby Skinstad signed for the rest of the season have been proved wrong.

That still doesn't mean he will start against Leinster, however, Shawn van Rensberg likely to be given a chance at number eight alongside Jason Forster and Jamie Ringer, Skinstad going on from the bench at some stage.

It is also likely that Percy Montgomery will be moved from full back to outside half for the Leinster game if the weather remains wet, when his big left boot can come into play, though he might even play at centre.

Sione Tuipulotu could feature at full back. Outside half Lee Jarvis can't be considered because of a virus, but skipper Andy Marinos has recovered from a knee injury and will lead the side.

Leinster have been hard hit by Ireland calls and injuries and could be without ten regulars. Threequarter aces Brian O'Driscoll and Denis Hickie are both injured, as is back row forward Eric Miller, though they could not have played had they been fit because of Ireland's Six Nations training camp.

That will also rule out full back Girvan Dempsey, centre or wing Shane Horgan, captain and prop Reg Corrigan, hooker Shane Byrne, lock Malcolm O'Kelly and back row pair Victor Costello and Keith Gleeson.