The lock, who suffered the injury during Perpignan’s Top 14 clash against Montpellier, featured against Italy and France as Wales scooped the Grand Slam earlier this year. 

The news compounds Wales’ injury woes ahead of the defence of their crown, with flanker Dan Lydiate and fly-half Rhys Priestland both ruled out, while there are also doubts about the fitness of Jamie Roberts and Leigh Halfpenny.

Injuries hampered Wales during the autumn internationals, in which they failed to win a single game, and could again pose a problem ahead of their 2013 RBS 6 Nations opener against Ireland in Cardiff on 2 February.

And former Red Dragon Dafydd Jones believes this most recent setback is another blow to the nation’s chances of repeating their 2012 success.

"We have got options but it isn't ideal we've lost three of our first choices and that's a big blow," he said.

"Luke Charteris is a big man. He's got so much to offer and is going to be a big loss.

"Obviously we've got Bradley Davies, we've got Ryan Jones also and young Lou Reed as well.

"They're [the Welsh selectors] going to be busy now over the Christmas period looking at who is in form and I wouldn't be surprised if someone had another chance."