Wales centre Gavin Henson will miss the RBS 6 Nations games against Italy and England due to a knee injury that requires three to four more weeks of rest.
Henson suffered the injury against Sale in January but Wales will have Gareth Thomas back from suspension for the game against Italy in Rome next week.
The 20 times-capped Ospreys star has not been part of Wales coach Gareth Jenkins' plans during the current RBS 6 Nations campaign, despite his team losing successive games against Ireland, Scotland and France.
And Henson now faces a race to be fit for the Ospreys' Cup semi-final clash against Cardiff Blues at the Millennium Stadium on March 24.
Wales will also be missing full-back Kevin Morgan who has a broken jaw and cannot be considered against Italy.
Prop Chris Horsman (ankle) and wing Mark Jones (ribs) are also injury problems ahead of the final two matches of the Championship.