Wales suffer more injury woe

Cardiff Blues and Wales centre Tom Shanklin is set for surgery to fix a knee problem and will miss the entire Six Nations campaign (Wales 11/2 to win Six Nations).

The 31-year-old picked up the injury playing for the Blues in their Magners League clash against Aironi, and a scan his since revealed that the player will require an operation to rectify the issue.

Shanklin will not be available for selection until the end of the March but should be fully recovered in time for the World Cup in New Zealand.

Blues director of rugby Dai Young was disappointed to hear that he would be without Shanklin's services for a crucial period of the domestic season.

He said: "Unfortunately, Tom has had a scan and needs another operation on that troublesome knee which will keep him out for three months.

"He should be back by the end of March, beginning of April, and has to get fit, so he may feature in some of our games at the end of the season.

"Obviously, I am sure he wants to come back as soon as possible to stake a claim for the World Cup with Wales."

The Welsh squad (33/1 to win the World Cup) is now looking a bit thin on the ground as they have Gavin Henson, Andrew Bishop and Gethin Jenkins out through injury.