The Scarlets are not expecting to see Ken Owens, Leigh Halfpenny or Scott Williams for the rest of the season.
Owens (back) and Halfpenny (knee) have been long-term absentees, with the full-back not seeing any action since injuring his knee against Canada last summer. Owens, meanwhile, has been out since October. In the case of the hooker, Scarlets boss Dwayne Peel is not expecting to see him back on the field any time soon.
"I don't think he'll play this season," he said. "He's nowhere near returning to training." He added that Halfpenny is also not expected to be available until next season.
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It is not only a significant blow for the Scarlets - who have an outside chance of making the United Rugby Championship play-offs - but it is also likely to affect Wales. Wayne Pivac's side head to South Africa for three Tests this summer and the head coach will want as much firepower as possible. The absence of two experienced campaigners will be felt.
Centre Williams left the field just before half-time during the Scarlets' win over Cardiff last weekend. He has a shoulder injury which has ended his campaign.
"Unfortunately he'll be gone for the season," Peel said of the centre. "It was a bit of a tough day for us to be honest with you because we had Dan Jones as well. That was an innocuous challenge and also Ioan Nicholas, who played for Llanelli in Pontypridd. I don't expect any of them to be available for the rest of the season, to be honest.
"Losing Scott's a blow because he's been excellent this season. But the likes of Joe Roberts, Corey Baldwin and Steff Hughes etcetera, these guys will step up now."
