Wales coach Mike Ruddock has been dealt another devastating injury blow with the loss of prop Chris Horsman for this season's RBS 6 Nations Championship.

Worcester forward Horsman faces ankle surgery later this week, and he is likely to be sidelined for around five months.

Horsman, 27, made his Wales debut off the replacements' bench against New Zealand in November, and then started Tests against Fiji, South Africa and Australia.

The powerful scrummager was an integral part of Ruddock's Six Nations plans, but he now becomes the latest Welsh injury casualty.

Back-row forward Ryan Jones, lock Brent Cockbain and full-back Kevin Morgan, who all played key roles in last season's Six Nations Grand Slam triumph, have already been ruled out of the tournament, while centre Tom Shanklin is also likely to miss all five games.

Gavin Henson, meanwhile, is currently banned for the opening three matches, although he will appeal against a 10-week suspension in Dublin tomorrow for elbowing Leicester prop Alex Moreno during a Heineken Cup clash between the Ospreys and Leicester last month.

Wales kick off their Six Nations campaign against world champions England at Twickenham on February 4.