Wales coach Warren Gatland has confirmed Leigh Halfpenny will miss their opening Six Nations clash with France on February 1.
Gatland takes his men to Paris to kick off their Six Nations campaign on February 1 but he faces a crisis at full-back.
Halfpenny has not featured since suffering concussion in the victory over Australia on November 10, while fellow No.15 Liam Williams is sidelined with a broken finger.
Halfpenny, who boasts 80 caps for Wales, could also be forced to sit out their second outing against Italy in Rome on February 9 and Gatland says they will let the 30-year-old take all the time he needs in his recovery.
“We probably won’t consider Leigh Halfpenny for the first couple of games,” Gatland said. “He is making progress and improving. We are mindful at the moment that he is a bit symptomatic with headaches but he has been taking part in training.
“For us it’s about easing him back in slowly. Hopefully he starts taking a more regular part in training and potentially look at including him towards the end of the tournament.
“He’s been doing a lot of one-on-one work with Neil Jenkins with his kicking, so that’s been a good distraction for him.
“There’s no pressure from us in trying to rush him back. The most important thing is his health and safety and things are all right.
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