Wales lock Will Rowlands has confirmed he'll miss the Six Nations due to a shoulder injury.
The Dragons star was injured in Wales' win over Argentina in the autumn, and went under the knife to rectify the issue.
He will now be out of action until April, meaning he could have played his last game for the Gwent region. The 31-year-old has already agreed a deal to join French side Racing 92 at the end of the next season.
A spring return to action would leave him with an uphill battle to feature for the Rodney Parade side again. The final fixtures of the season before the play-offs involving the top eight sides take place on April 22.
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He told Scrum V: "The shoulder is OK, It is frustrating but it is just slow and steady [on his recovery].
"Hopefully I will be involved back in rugby in April time."
Asked if he had played his last game for the Dragons, Rowlands replied: "No, we are going to get to the knockout stuff!"
Wales' 60-cap rule - currently under review - would see Rowlands prevented from playing from his country at next year's World Cup, with the second row only having 23 caps under his belt at present.
Rowlands has, however, spoken of his hope of appearing in France.
When asked whether the number of caps may change, WRU chief executive Steve Phillips said earlier this month: "I think that's the conversation. The concept is a sound one.
"Australia recently changed theirs to 30 but I think the concept is the key thing. I'm not saying we need to change it but that's not to say we don't need to review it."
Warren Gatland will be without Gareth Anscombe and Dan Lydiate for the Six Nations, with George North, Louis Rees-Zammit, Ben Carter, Dillon Lewis and Owen Watkin all currently sidelined too.
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